Pollution Superstar #2: Titan Cement

I am upset with the fundamental approach of the NC Conservation Network. Rather than trying to work with companies, offer up alternative fuels/approaches, or use your energies to reasonably and scientifically address these companies in the public comment period of air permit reviews the energies of this organization that has so much potential for good is to simply STOP projects that will benefit the local and state economy. Think of the jobs associated with a project of this scale and relate that to the ~10% unemployment rate in NC. Perhaps you ask Titan to offset the wetlands they destroy with the company vowing to help with the upkeep and promotion of surrounding wetlands.

I do not want to discredit your efforts and what good you have intended, but a realistic approach is needed. As a mildly left-leaning indepedent, I see the ills of partisan bickering and the inability to work together. If we can both benefit the economy AND promote a company to perform operations that are vital to infrastructure, power, etc. in the cleanest way possible then it is win/win. Setting up road blocks or detours is a much better approach that asking traffic to simply stop.

The Charlotte Observer explains why this is an issue that needs much more study of the impacts of this proposal before moving forward:

"The conflict, as it almost always does in North Carolina, boils down to a choice between a major plant with the potential for some good jobs, and protecting a sensitive area – in this case, wetlands that help maintain water quality in one of the state's most important tourism centers.

The state should think long and hard before permitting one of the nation's largest cement plants to be built on the Northeast Cape Fear River near Wilmington. Members of New Hanover County's legislative delegation are troubled about the potential impact of the plant. They may call for an environmental study as well as another study to determine where cement plants should be sited.

That would be in order. The 160 or so permanent jobs Titan America would bring to the Cape Fear region are not worth the potential damage the plant could do to an area that attracts tourists, boaters, retirees and residents from around the world. The region's rivers, sounds, beaches and fishing grounds are among the best anywhere."

To be fair, the Titan Cement project fell under a state environmental review initially, when it was announced last April 2008. The law is called SEPA, and projects like Titan Cement are applicable because they take public money (in this case 4.5 million dollars), affect public lands and/or have the potential to negatively impact our environment. SEPA requires all permits to wait until the Federal Environmental Impact Statement is complete. So, initially, citizens from our area were told not to worry, a thorough environmental review would be done before the air permit was issued.....then Titan's lawyers wriggled out of SEPA, (still kept the money, still affects public lands and still negatively impacts the environment) opening the door for the air permit to be issued BEFORE any environmental impacts are known. Our county's newest K - 12 campus is 1.5 miles from Titan. More than 8,500 students will attend schools within 5 miles of Titan. More than 200 local physicians oppose Titan because of the health impacts to our community. Titan has been asked by local legislators and thousands of citizens to voluntarily agree to fall back under SEPA so the health and environmental concerns are addressed. Titan has refused. Instead they have hired 9 lobbyist to work in Raleigh telling politicians that if we don't allow them to build (and if we try to enforce SEPA) we are unfriendly to businesses. i.e. we are unfriendly to polluters. Titan will represent less than 0.02 % of New Hanover County's employment. We don't need Titan. Titan needs us and they have made it clear they will do and say about anything to get what they want. Get involved at stoptitan.org and help send a message to big, foreign polluters and to State Officials that our NC protects its citizens and doesn't sell out to big polluters. Please help our community today at www.stoptitan.org

We need the money, admittedly. But there are better sources. Check out the Stop Titan website for more info about the effects of their pollutants.

It is not asked that they stop forever. Only until we know how to go forward without destroying more land than necessary. Really, mercury will do terrible things to people, especially to any fetus, infant, toddler, etc. And this place is being built near a school... why?

And we could be doing so much better if only our officials actually were not so tone deaf and ignorant to new economy trends nationwide. Anyone hear of Castle Branch? 200 employees and growing fast in Wilmington. They just keep growing quietly, like dozens of other area start-ups of the past ten years or so. And yet area "leaders" don't understand or try to learn what is drivign this movement away from their decades long dependency on heavy industry. All "knowledge workers", i.e. the company mines the ideas and talents of their employees, not limestone out of wetlands. Many government jobs are "knowedge jobs" as well. And this is not a bias against non college grads. Look how generous knowledge jobs were for the Williams cartel running the local ABC shops in town. $400,000 a year for daddy and son! Look, the fight against Titan should be fought on pprotectign the environment and the health of area residents. But the winning fight is a fight over economic development. One plan is locked in the 1950's and refuses to budge. It is killing our area's business identity because we look ignorant. The other is about growth, agility, and protecting the unique quality of place attributes of the Cape Fear coast. Which would you prefer?

I moved to Wilmington for the quality and affordable cost of living and most importantly... natural surroundings. We chose Wilmington over many other cities to raise a family, start a business and put down some roots. There are 1000s of others like me, and 1000s more than would choose to move their business to Wilmington. If Wilmington (we) can keep out of the cement business and encourage the growth of sustainable and independent businesseses, there were be way more than 160 jobs created in the long term. These jobs are not worth trashing an otherwise beautiful beach town for the short term gain. This seems like a no-brainer to anyone with some common sense. However, I know politics and $$$$$ don't always follow those rules.