Urge Congress to Support Regulation of Toxic Coal Ash
Coal ash -- the waste left behind after coal is burned for energy -- poses a serious threat to the health of North Carolina's waterways and communities. Health effects include increased cancer risk, learning disabilities, and birth defects. Even worse, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), North Carolina is home to more high hazard coal ash ponds than any other state in the country.
Although the fate of communities located near coal ash ponds is at risk, the coal industry and its friends in Congress are relentless in their efforts to stop the creation of strong federal protections on coal ash. The EPA has also delayed finalizing long-awaited protections that would provide federal guidelines for the cleanup of coal ash ponds.
Contact your decision-makers in Congress and tell them that North Carolinians want strong safeguards that protect our communities from toxic coal ash.
Dear decision-maker,
I'm writing to urge you to oppose any legislation that would prevent the federal regulation of toxic coal ash. Coal ash poses a significant threat to the health of North Carolina's communities and environment. A bill addressing coal ash must establish a legal standard to protect public health and the environment, as well as: provide the EPA with the authority to enforce the laws Congress enacts; give the EPA authority to review and approve state coal ash programs and ensure they are meeting federal minimum standards; and identify, close, and cleanup inactive "legacy sites."
[Your comments will be inserted here]Please stand up for North Carolina's families by opposing industry efforts to stop federal regulation of coal ash.
