NC charging polluters too little, group says
Published: Wed, Mar. 07, 2007 12:43PM
Modified Wed, Mar. 07, 2007 02:34PM
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closeNorth Carolina is one of at least 18 states that an environmental watchdog group says is charging industries too little in fees for the air pollution they generate.
The Environmental Integrity Project said in a report released today that North Carolina and other states are too lenient on plants that emit high volumes of pollutants.
North Carolina, the report said, could have collected $5.4 million more than it did from 2002 to 2005, because the emissions fees the state charges major plants were less than the amounts recommended by the federal government.
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“States are shortchanging either the public health or the pockets of taxpayers by setting emissions fees that are too low to cover the cost of Clear Air Act enforcement programs,” said Eric Schaeffer, director the Environmental Integrity Project.
Tom Mather, spokesman for the N.C. Division of Air Quality, said the state does charge enough to cover the costs of the enforcement program focused on major plants.
“States are supposed to collect enough in fees to run the program,” Mather said. “It’s not intended to run the entire air quality program.”
Mather also questioned the group’s assertion that the federal government requires states to charge a set minimum fee. He said the state’s understanding it that the fee amount is recommended, not required.
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