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Canary News and Action July 11, 2005
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Wind Field Trip Friday, July 15 Federal Court Overturns EPA's NSR Changes Global Warming Bill Passes in NC General Assembly NCSEA 2005 Sustainable Energy Legislative Guide Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine to Publish Article About Upcoming Relay for Clean Air and AirAid 2005 Annual Board Meeting July 21
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Next Wind Field Trip Friday, July 15 to the TVA large-scale wind pilot project at Buffalo Mountain, Tennessee
Call 828-631-3447 or email for more information
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Federal Court Overturns EPA's NSR Changes
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed most of the EPA's changes to the New Source Review (NSR) provision of the Clean Air Act that were filed in December of 2002. These attempted revisions, referring to Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) of air quality, were challenged in court by fourteen states, the District of Columbia, more than 20 major cities and a host of environmental organizations.
Perhaps most importantly the court decision reaffirmed the right of states to adopt stronger standards than the federal government, contradicting EPA's attempt to dictate that state's adopt its new lower standards.
In response to the EPA's attempted NSR revisions, North Carolina's Environmental Management Commission attempted to change the corresponding state rules, implying they had no choice. But, the Canary Coalition succeeded in delaying the implementation of the state rules for a year pending legislative review. It's unclear at this point how the court decision will affect the NC changes, but in all likelihood it will force state agencies to go back to the drawing board, hopefully to re-institute the stronger standards as they existed prior to December of 2002.
The PSD rules do not include other changes made to NSR by the EPA in 2003 under the heading of Routine Maintenance, Repair and Replacement. The challenge to these revisions is still pending in federal court, although a stay has been imposed against their implementation until a decision is reached.
A summary of the court decision by NY Attorney General Eliot Spitzer can be viewed at this link. |
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Global Warming Bill Passes in NC General Assembly In another stunning and resounding victory for the environmental community in North Carolina the General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a Global Warming Bill on July 7. The Global
Warming/Climate Change bill, S1134 passed the North Carolina Senate by a
vote of 43 in favor and 6 opposed. In the House it passed with 78
legislators voting favorably and 29 dissenting. This bill will establish a 32 member Legislative Commission to evaluate potential impacts on the state from rising temperatures, consider recommending a global warming pollutant reduction goal, and prepare the state's economy to capitalize on emerging economic markets associated with addressing global warming. The bill is particularly
significant in that it sends a strong message to the federal government that
climate change issues are real and taken seriously by state governments and
the people of this country. The adoption of this legislation helps in
building the momentum for federal action the current President and Congress
have refused to take. Thanks to all of our members who helped support the passage of the Global Warming bill during the past few months. Because of your help, we had a major success this year in protecting our environment. Review of the NC Global Warming Act (1.6 megabytes. High speed connection recommended) |
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NCSEA 2005 Sustainable Energy Legislative Guide The NC Sustainable Energy Association has put together this excellent summary of pending legislation related to sustainable energy development in North Carolina this year. Please review these bills and write/call legislators in support. |
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Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine to Publish Article About Upcoming Relay for Clean Air and AirAid The August issue of Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine will feature an article about the Relay for Clean Air and AirAid. BRO has a circulation of 110,000 in the states of West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North and South Carolina. Look for it to hit the stands on July 25. The schedule for this year's Relay for Clean Air is now available. Participants and support volunteers are needed. Please sign up now. |
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2005 Annual Board Meeting July 21 This year's annual Board meeting will be held at the Canary Coalition office in Sylva, NC at 7 PM. The agenda includes: -Approval of the minutes from the 2004 meeting. -Election of Officers for the Board -Discussion and Adoption of the 2006 budget -Annual Report given by the Executive Director -Discussion and possible adoption of a resolution in opposition to new nuclear power development in North Carolina and in favor of wind, other renewables, conservation and energy efficiency programs. The meeting is open to all Canary Coalition members, but only Governing Board members will be eligible to vote. |
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If you have not already done so, please renew your annual membership with the CanaryCoalition and help keep the database updated with your most recent contact information. There is no annual membership fee, although all donations are gratefully accepted (and very much needed). All new and renewing members receive the interactive membership card, a business card-sized CD that works in your computer’s CDROM. The membership card is a powerful tool that aids its owner in being a clean-air activist. It contains a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation about air quality and the Canary Coalition that can be shown to friends, groups, classrooms, etc. Also on the membership card is a library of documents containing information on important air quality issues. There are also graphics for iron-on applications, printable membership forms and a link to the CC website. For donations of $25 or more tee-shirts are available upon request. Send contact information and donations to: Canary Coalition PO Box 653 Sylva, NC 28779
or you can donate online
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