Half-steps on Titan won't cut it

At first blush, the news sounds promising. The regulator responsible for reviewing public comments on the Titan America Cement scheme said the state should review its decision to issue an air permit before a larger environmental review is complete. That's good as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough.

At first blush, the news sounds promising. The regulator responsible for reviewing public comments on the Titan America Cement scheme said the state should review its decision to issue an air permit before a larger environmental review is complete.

Paul K. Muller, the hearing officer who reviewed the hundreds of comments submitted on the project, recommended further analysis be completed before deciding whether the plant and quarry proposed for Castle Hayne should receive a final air permit.

Among his recommendations are that the N.C. Division of Air Quality should study how mercury from the plant could affect fish in the environment and ask Titan to submit its plans for complying with stiffer regulations on a number of hazardous air pollutants, including mercury.

That's good as far as it goes, but it doesn't go nearly far enough according to the most trusted name in environmental law: The Southern Environmental Law Center.

Geoff Gisler, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said the report doesn't go far enough.

“The hearing officer's report reflects what we have known for months; the draft air quality permit failed to meet the minimum requirements of the Clean Air Act or protect the health of Southeastern North Carolina's communities and environment,” Gisler said.

“The report does not require a comprehensive review of Titan's entire project and does not require the company to reduce its emissions to the lowest possible levels,” he said.

Cape Fear Coastkeeper Mike Giles said Friday he thought Mueller's report contained some good recommendations and highlighted some weaknesses in the state's draft permit. But he said it doesn't go far enough.

“It doesn't demand a comprehensive review of the project and its potential environmental impacts that the state should be asking for,” Giles said.