cfrw.us Blog

     The efforts to protect Island Creek, the Northeast Cape Fear River and the entire region from the ravages of a fast tracked enormous coal fired cement kiln and adjacent deep pit limestone quarry plopped in the middle of fragile wetlands continue.  In  Raleigh Rep. Carolyn Justice has been working with Sen. Julia Boseman to pass a bill requiring state agencies to consider all issues before them before issuing any permits to companies receiving public monies.  Such a law would hopefully prevent an air quality permit being issued before completion of the environmental impact statement.As you might imagine: this proposal is displeasing to Titan America and their small army of high dollar Raleigh lobbyists.  They managed to delay a vote on the bill in the Senate Commerce Committee on Tuesday and are doubtless working overtime to prevent the bill from ever coming to a full vote.  We need you -  all of you – to work the phones hard.  Today. Your phone calls do make a difference.  This works. It has worked. It will work. Democracy is a beautiful thing.

When you call . . .

1. State your name.
2. State the purpose of your call:   you’re calling to ask the Senator to support the legislation to bring Titan America under the State Environmental Policy Act
3. Mention that despite the claims of Titan’s lobbyists, the proposed plant and pit does not have widespread public support in the area.
4. State a few reasons why you and your neighbors are concerned:
   • destruction of thousands of acres of irreplaceable wetlands
   • the threat to the aquifer from which we draw much of our drinking water
   • the thousands of tons of particulate matter to be emitted from the plant
   • mercury emissions into our community and into an already mercury impaired river
   • emission of chemicals that cause smog,
   • increased emission of chemicals (arsenic, benzene, chromium, etc.) that are known to cause cancer
   • that such a plant in such a location is absolutely not in line with the “Green Jobs” agenda the Governor and Secretary of Commerce have been promoting.

Be polite, be concise, be resolute.  It’s not necessary to speak with the Senator him or herself.  Speak with an aide or leave a message – you will be heard.

If you’ve never done this before the first call can feel awkward.   The second call goes a little easier.  By the fourth call it’s as natural as ordering a pizza. Raleigh politicians did not get elected by being rude or aloof.  They enjoy hearing from their constituents.  Your calls will be answered promptly and professionally and politely.

Ready to call? Good. It’s a big committee.  Here’s who needs to be called:

• Sen. R.C. Soles, Jr. (representing Brunswick, Columbus & Pender Counties) Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee (919) 733-5963
• Sen. Floyd McKissick (representing Durham County) Vice Chairman 919-733-4599
• Sen. David Hoyle (representing Gaston County) Vice Chairman 919-733-5734
• Sen. Tony Rand (representing Bladen & Cumberland Counties) Vice Chairman 919-733-9892
• Sen. Tom Apodaca (representing Buncombe, Henderson & Polk Counties)  919-733-5745
• Sen. Doug Berger (representing Franklin, Granville, Vance & Warren Counties) 919-715-8363
• Sen. Dan Blue (representing Wake County) 919-733-5752
• Sen. Tony Foriest (representing Alamance & Caswell Counties) 919-301-1446
• Sen. Larry Shaw (representing Cumberland County) 919-733-9349
• Sen. Phillip Berger (representing Guilford & Rockingham Counties) 919-733-5708
• Sen. Harris Blake (representing Harnett & Moore Counties) 919-733-4809
• Sen. Julia Boseman (representing New Hanover County) 919-715-2525
• Sen. Peter Brunstetter (representing Forsyth County) 919-733-7850
• Sen. Debbie Clary (representing Cleveland & Rutherford Counties) 919-715-3038
• Sen. Katie Dorsett (representing Guilford County) 919-715-3042
• Sen. James Forrester (representing Gaston, Iredell & Lincoln Counties) 919-715-3050
• Sen. Linda Garrou (representing Forsyth County) 919-733-5620
• Sen. Eddie Goodall (representing Mecklenburg & Union Counties) 919-733-7659
• Sen. Steve Goss (representing Alexander, Ashe, Watauga & Wilkes Counties) 919-733-5742
• Sen. Malcolm Graham (representing Mecklenburg County) 919-733-5650
• Sen. Neal Hunt (representing Wake County) 919-733-5850
• Sen. Jim Jacumin (representing Burke & Caldwell Counties) 919-715-7823
• Sen. Clark Jenkins (representing Edgecombe, Martin & Pitt Counties) 919-715-3040
• Sen. Martin Nesbitt (representing Buncombe County) 919-715-3001
• Sen. William Purcell (representing  Counties) 919-733-5953
• Sen. Bob Rucho (representing Mecklenburg County) 919-733-5655
• Sen. Josh Stein (representing Wake County) 919-715-6400
• Sen. Richard Stevens (representing Wake County) 919-733-5653
• Sen. Don Vaughan (representing Guilford County) 919-733-5856