You can speak out for strong control of mercury pollution:
There will be a public hearing in Charlotte on May 25th (also Raleigh on June 1st and Winterville on June 8th) for citizens like yourself to speak out for strong control of North Carolina’s mercury problem. We need folks to attend and ask for a 90% reduction in mercury emissions from North Carolina’s power plants and preserve our state’s tradition of protecting public health.  You probably have a story to tell as a concerned citizen, parent, fisherman, health professional, etc.  The state of North Carolina needs to hear from you! 

North Carolina has a growing mercury problem:
Our 14 coal-fired power plants put NC in the top ten in the country in mercury emissions, 22 types of fish are under a state consumption advisory due to mercury contamination, and 20% of NC women who asked to be tested had unsafe levels of mercury in their bodies.  Unfortunately, at the same time the state of North Carolina’s Division of Air Quality has proposed a weak rule to control mercury emissions from NC’s coal-fired power plants.

Mercury contamination is not just an environmental issue, it’s a public health issue:
Mercury at unsafe levels is especially dangerous for women of childbearing age, a growing fetus, and children under the age of 15.  Pre-birth and childhood exposure to mercury has been linked to lowered intelligence, learning disabilities, and vision and hearing problems. 

We provide you with talking points, along with tips on speaking at a hearing and moral support for folks who have never spoken at a hearing before.  For more information please contact Veronica Butcher, veronica@ncconservationnetwork.org

Click here for simple talking points.

Click here to view a copy of the proposed rule changes.

Click here for background information on mercury pollution in NC.