One of the major sources of ozone is nitrogen oxide (NOx), which turns into ozone when it is cooked by the summer sun. Industries account for about half the NOx emissions in North Carolina. Motor vehicles also account for about half, and the amount of NOx from this source is growing rapidly. From 1970 – 1995, North Carolina’s population grew by about 40%, while driving increased by about 150%.

Because of the rapid increase in driving, motor vehicles account for up to 90% of NOx emissions in North Carolina’s urban areas. And cities that cannot show how they will prevent further pollution are at risk of losing federal transportation dollars – meaning roads cannot be built. Ozone caused by car exhaust is also becoming a problem in the mountains, which had a record number of bad ozone days in 1998.

So solving the ozone problem requires comprehensive planning that deals with both industry and motor vehicles. Gov. Hunt has developed such a plan, one that will strengthen the state’s efforts to protect and improve air quality through legislation and other initiatives to reduce ozone pollution from all sources.

The Governor’s package includes

• Cutting by two-thirds the NOx emissions from the state’s five largest power plants, by 2003. In May the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will present draft rules for these reductions to the state’s Environmental Management Commission.
• Expanding the emissions inspection program to more counties (nine counties now have the program), and making the testing more comprehensive by allowing for the testing of all motor vehicles – not just cars – and allowing for NOx testing. Sen. George Miller and Rep. Joe Hackney have introduced bills (S593 and H323) to begin this process.
  * Also, this year the Division of Motor Vehicles has begun denying registration renewals for people who do not get their cars tested, and will start issuing fines of up to $250 to violators.
• Requiring that only low sulfur fuel be sold in North Carolina, to improve the pollution-fighting performance of catalytic converters. Such a change could cut NOx emissions by almost 10%. And since many of the cars in North Carolina are from neighboring states, the Hunt Administration has begun discussions with them on a regional standard.
• Creating incentives for companies to reduce pollutants ahead of schedule. The Hunt Administration will be working with the General Assembly to create these incentives, which may include tax credits or the ability to "bank" some of their reductions as pollution credits that others could use.
• Offering tax credits to North Carolinians who purchase of alternative fuel vehicles, such as compressed natural gas (CNG). Such a tax credit would piggyback on the federal credit, helping bring the cost of CNG automobiles closer to that of gasoline powered autos.
  * Under the Hunt Administration, the state has purchased 300 alternative fuel vehicles to reduce use of gasoline by state government.
• Increasing funds for rail and transit projects, to give people alternatives to driving – especially in congested areas of the state. Gov. Hunt’s biennial budget proposal contains $56 million for rail and transit projects.
• Expanding the state’s Ozone Awareness Program to more areas, starting with the Asheville area. This popular program, which already operates in Charlotte, the Triad, and the Triangle, informs people about ozone – through "bad air day" alerts during radio and TV weather reports, and with informational brochures – and what they can do to help prevent it. It is also used to help businesses create programs – such as reduced prices in company cafeterias on bad air days – to reduce driving by employees.

Protecting and cleaning the air for better health, a cleaner environment, and a better economy will not be free, but it is a long term plan that does not have to be paid for all at once. As the different components of this plan begin, the Hunt Administration will be able to find federal funds, and commit the necessary state funds, to make it a success.

The Hunt administration has a strong commitment to protecting and improving the air in the mountains. Under Gov. Hunt’s leadership, North Carolina is:

• Encouraging other Southeastern states to join North Carolina and Tennessee in an agreement with federal land managers that will help protect air quality in our most pristine natural areas, such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This agreement helps protect the air by ensuring a thorough review of the air quality impact of new businesses locating nearby.
• Continuing active support of the Southern Appalachian Mountains Initiative (SAMI), a multi-state group of people and organizations who are interested in mountain air quality. SAMI is currently conducting a study on ozone, acid rain, and regional haze. This study, due to be completed in the summer of 2001, will serve as the basis for creating strategies to address these problems. North Carolina’s DENR Assistant Secretary Bill Holman is the current chairman of SAMI.

Contact: Tom Mather (919) 715-7408
Date Posted: 04/08

Return to Press Release Page.