The idea of being able to manage tons of poultry litter and generate electricity at the same time is worth exploring and could help the state meet its renewable energy goal. But as you suggested, caution is in order. The proposed Fibrowatt incineration plant in Sampson County is not the solution.

Incinerating poultry litter produces many of the same pollutants as a coal plant, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Worse still, incineration of litter produces other toxic pollutants, including poisonous arsenic that pours into the air and collects in the ash.

In addition, the proposed plant will require a major financial investment in a system that is relatively untested. Fibrowatt's only incineration plant in the United States has been running for less than a year.

Being classified as "renewable" doesn't mean the energy source is clean. Policymakers would be wise to examine gasification of poultry litter, which would be a cleaner process for producing renewable energy than incineration.

North Carolina can protect the health of its residents and still have a thriving economy. The state Division of Air Quality should carefully study the cleanest ways to produce renewable energy before approving more dirty ways to turn on the lights.

Michael Regan

Southeast Climate & Air Policy Director, Environmental Defense Fund

Raleigh