Conservation Forum | November 14th in Chapel Hill

Act quickly to reserve your spot for an exciting line up of panelists  at the Chapter’s 2009 Conservation Forum to be held  Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the North Carolina Botantical Garden in Chapel Hill.  We’ll hear updates on flattening North Carolina's electricity demand curve through energy efficiency, the future of solar power in our state and the latest on wind power on the continental shelf.  And, we will talk about what the Sierra Club can do to pick up the pace of change towards a clean energy-based economy in North Carolina.

Participants will also have the opportunity to take a tour of the newly-opened Environmental Education Building at the Botanical Garden (LEEDS certified: Platinum).

Click here for a list of speakers and topics and to register.

Help Keep the NC Chapter on course!

The NC Chapter Executive Committee is seeking enthusiastic and qualified Sierra Club members to run for at-large seats on the Chapter’s statewide governance committee. Experience in board management, financial management, fundraising, environmental policy, or volunteer outreach efforts are especially welcome. ExCom members are elected by a vote of the membership in the 4th quarter of the year.  Members will receive their ballots in November.

For more information, contact Chapter Chair Pat Carstensen.

To submit your name as a candidate, please send a brief (no more than 250 words) summary of your experience, interests, and goals for the Chapter by October 22 to info@sierraclub-nc.org.

Hearing on Titan Cement next week!

On October 20, the North Carolina Division of Energy will hold a day of public hearings on Titan Cement's draft air permit for the proposed new coal-fired cement plant. If built, Titan Cement will be a major new source of air toxics, especially as well as global warming emissions.

Citizens are concerned about the impacts of public health and the environment. Of particular concern are impacts of atmospheric sediment on the Northeast Cape Fear River, which is classified as an aquatic resource of national importance by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The river is on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of impaired waters; meaning it is too polluted to support its intended use.

Concerned community member have set a goal of 1,000 citizens to attend these hearings.

Citizens who want to help but do not wish to make a statement are strongly encouraged to come anyway and show support.

Click here for more information, directions, etc.

Campaign to kick coal in high gear at UNC

UNC-CH students have been working hard to make their school a leader in moving beyond coal through the Coal Free Campus Campaign.

UNC currently relies on coal from a university owned facility that generates close to 25% of the electricity used on campus; students have been acquiring the attention of the administration in order to move the University off of coal.

The students have been hard at work.

Check out some of their headlines:

article on the UNC photo petition,

Coal "2 Dirty 4 College" video

Letter to the Editor of the Daily Tar Heel

Outings

Bartram Trail Backpack | October 17 -25, 2009 | Capital Group

Starting in GA, we will backpack the 100 mile Bartram Trail end-to-end. It starts east of the Appalachian Trail (AT), heads north towards Highlands, N. C., then heads northwest, intersecting the AT at Wayah Bald, runs with it briefly, then turns northwest, skirting Nantahala Lake, rejoining the AT atop Cheoah Bald where it ends.News

Must Reads

Coal Ash: 130 Million Tons of Waste | October 4, 2009 | CBS

We burn so much coal in this country for electricity that every year that process generates 130 million tons of waste. Most of it is coal ash, and it contains some nasty stuff. Environmental scientists tell us that the concentrations of mercury, arsenic, lead and other toxic metals are considerably higher in coal ash than in ordinary soil.

NC Data: Tainted water near coal ash ponds | October 12, 2009 | Charlotte Observer

State data show contaminated groundwater near all 13 N.C. coal-ash ponds owned by Duke Energy and Progress Energy...

Haven't made your donation yet this year? We need your support! We have a lot of heavy lifting left on issues that matter to all of us and we can't do it without you.

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