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As the NC General Assembly reaches the tail end of its 2006 legislative session, the pollution lobbyists – from developers to power companies - are hoping to take advantage of the chaos of the legislature’s final days in order to move several damaging special interest bills.

Each of these interests has powerful influence, thanks to campaign contributions, but sending the message below can help inspire legislators to finish the session without enacting the following bills.

* S. 1862, Reducing Nutrient Offset Payments, will benefit developers by allowing them to increase pollution flowing into the Neuse River basin without paying the true cost to offset the damage done.

* H. 2162/ S.1600, Land Disturbing Activities Near Trout Waters.  This bill would weaken existing state law to allow developments to permanently destroy trout streams. 

* H. 2884, Disapprove Air Rule/Older Plant’s Emissions.  Apparently designed to benefit Duke Power, this bill would weaken the air quality standards applied to a proposed expansion to the Cliffside coal-fired power plant.

* H. 1778, Risk-Based Environmental Remediation.  Solicited by the chemical industry, this bill would let polluters pay a small fee and walk away from groundwater and soil contamination without cleaning it up. 

* Billboard amendment to H. 1827, General Contractor Licensing.  This amendment to an unrelated bill would require extensive clearing of trees to increase the visibility of privately owned billboards – and would excuse billboard companies from paying for public trees they cut down. 

Recent stories of sketchy campaign and lobbying practices means legislators are trying hard to keep a clean record.  Act now and tell your legislators to stay on the straight and narrow path by opposing these 5 special interest bills!

Click here to read more about the five bills by going to our 'What's At Stake' page.