The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is investigating environmental justice issues nationwide related to the management of coal ash. The North Carolina Advisory Committee to the commission held a town hall meeting in Walnut Cove on April 7. Walnut Cove is nearby to Duke Energy's Belews Creek power plant, where the utility stores tons of coal ash, a toxic-laden remnant from burning coal.
To hear the audio of remarks made by neighbors, state officals, and experts during the town hall, you can click on the agenda item below.
I. Introductory remarks by N.C. Advisory Committee Chairwoman Matty Lazo-Chadderton, 9:00 a.m.
Members of the committee present: Rick Martinez, Thealetta Monet, Olga Wright
II. Panel 1: Community leaders/advocates, 9:10 a.m.-10:10 a.m.
Rev. Gregory Hairston, Rising Star Baptist Church, Audio
Sarah Kellog, Appalachian Voices, Audio
Tracey Edwards, Community advocate, Audio
Questions from committee: Martinez, Monet, Wright, Martinez, Martinez, Monet
Break, 10:20 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
III. Panel 2: Government officials, coal ash activists/advocates, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Chandra Taylor, Southern Environmental Law Center, Audio
Caroline Armijo, Citizens Against Coal Ash, Audio
Tom Reeder, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Audio
David Hairston, Volunteer activist, Audio
Questions from committee: Monet, Wright, Wright, Martinez, Martinez, Lazo-Chadderton
IV. Open comment period, 11:30 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
Click on a name to hear comments from:
Lunch, 11:50 a.m.-1:20 p.m.
V. Panel 3 Environmental/Health Issues, 1:20 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Will Scott, Yadkin Riverkeeper, Audio
Pete Harrison, Waterkeeper Alliance, Audio
Marie Garlock, Breast Cancer Action, Audio
Dr. Rebecca Fry, Assoc. Professor at University of North Carolina, UNC Superfund Research Program, Audio
Questions from committee: Wright, Monet, Martinez, Martinez
Break, 2:30 p.m.-2:40 p.m.
VI. Panel 4: Coal industry and advocacy groups, 2:40 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Mark D. Mcintire, Duke Energy, Audio
Lisa Evans, Earth Justice, Audio
Amy Adams, Applachian Voices, N.C. Campaign Coordinator, Audio
Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler, North Carolina NAACP, Audio
Questions from committee: Monet, Wright, Martinez, Martinez, Lazzo-Chadderton
VII. Open Comment period, 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Click on a name to hear comments from:
VIII. Closing Comments
Matty Lazo-Chadderton, North Carolina Advisory Committee Chairwoman, Audio
Patricia Timmons-Goodson, Commission Vice-Chairperson, Audio
Karen Narasaki, Commissioner, Audio
Martin Castro, Commission Chairperson, Audio