Clean Smokestacks
Ron Thigpen
rthigpen at nc.rr.com
Wed Jun 12 15:57:41 EDT 2002
i'd have to agree with you that effective, clean PT would be likely to
provide air quality benefits to the triangle. motor vehicles are after
all major polluters.
i'm not sure i agree that it's the only way to improve the air here.
as i understand it, compliance with the smokestacks bill should provide
some benefits locally, around the state, and in the region. it's
reported that these pollutants end up affecting a very wide area. the
problems out in the smokies are largely caused by pollution originating
elsewhere. it would also be easier for NC to claim some high ground in
reduction talks with neighboring states.
i'm also a bit skeptical that PT would yield big improvements in the
immediate timeframe. there are just to many factors that take time:
gov't agreements, investment, buildout, ridership growth, development
around stations, etc. air quality improvements as a result of clean PT
will take time.
given the built nature of the triangle (jobs one place, homes elsewhere)
i would hate to see all of hopes pinned on this solution.
clean air will require action many fronts: energy efficiency (cars and
homes), technology improvements (compact flourescents, fuel cells, clean
diesels), positive and negative incentives (CAFE, gas taxes, solar tax
credits) and, of course, education.
updating our coal-fired power plants would seem to be part of that mix.
everything i've read indicates that this would be a good step in
the right direction, and at reasonable cost.
as you are presumably well informed on this issue, i'm interested in
your opinion. are you in favor of this bill or no, and for what reasons?
--rt
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