Environmental
Justice
POSITION: The question has been raised as to whether North
Carolina should undertake efforts or implement standards beyond those
that might already apply from EPA to incorporate concepts of
“environmental justice” into siting or permitting of facilities
within the State. NCCBI does not believe that any plant or other
facility with demonstrated adverse environmental impacts should be
located because of the race or other identifiable and immutable
characteristics of a defined population, where there would be
demonstrable adverse impacts to the health or safety of that
population due to exposures to chemicals or other substances at levels
above state or federal standards or levels of safety. However, NCCBI
opposes the current environmental justice initiative now being
implemented by the federal Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to
a 1994 Presidential Order, and NCCBI would strongly oppose any effort
or proposal to implement a similar approach in North Carolina.
EXPLANATION:
“Environmental Justice” is a loosely defined and often
subjective concept. There is substantial disagreement as to its
meaning and even greater controversy as to the need or advisability of
its implementation.
North Carolina already has a very open process of permitting new
sites and major modifications at existing facilities which almost
uniformly incorporates concepts of notice and a potential for public
comment and even public hearings in many instances. Through this
process, any population can and historically have expressed any
opinion or beliefs that they have held that a facility was being
located at a certain place because of the nature of persons in the
surrounding community, or similar complaints. This public discussion
serves as the best antidote to ensure that facilities are not located
because of the race or immutable characteristics of the surrounding
population. Any attempt to incorporate any further concepts of
“justice” into this system will only polarize and further
politicize the permitting process. Implementation of a concept like
“environmental justice, “ in the form that it is taking with EPA,
is contrary to sound planning and economic development, as well as the
overall interest of the surrounding communities.
North Carolina has some of the best environmental programs in the
country, implementing some of the most stringent environmental
standards. Any plant to be located within the State will have
demonstrated prospective compliance with those programs and standards.
As a result, that facility should and will be a good and acceptable
neighbor to any community. NCCBI does not believe it would be a
“injustice” to locate such a facility within the community.
If you have comments on any of the NCCBI positions
or other issues,
please
click
here for a feedback form
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