Robeson Rises in Opposition to Pellet Mill NC DEQ held a virtual hearing for proposed AERP pellet mill in Lumberton. Locals are opposed due to pollution, siting in a flood zone, and the ongoing pandemic.

During @NCDEQ's virtual public hearing on Monday, we heard many powerful voices speaking out against the proposed wood pellet mill in Robeson County. Read what some of these people had to say. #Justice4Lumberton

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Robeson County residents tell DEQ to deny air permit for Active Energy wood pellet plant • NC Newsline A proposed wood pellet plant faces vehement opposition from many Robeson County residents, including elected officials, and environmental advocates, who say the facility would not only pollute the air, but also would be financially risky and environmentally unjust. The NC Department of Environmental Quality held a virtual public hearing Monday night to receive formal comments […]

Robeson County residents tell DEQ to deny air permit for Active Energy wood pellet plant via @lisasorg @NCPolicyWatch #Stand4Forests #Justice4Lumberton

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"I think this permit should not even be considered given the major industries in this area and the major flooding that has taken place and people are still recovering from the last three hurricanes." - Naeema Muhammad of @NCEJN #Justice4Lumberton

Chelsea Easter of @SouthWings adds to many voices calling on the need for an in person public hearing and environmental justice review assessment. #Justice4Lumberton

"I’m speaking for South Lumberton and we don’t need the plant. We know it’s going to hurt us and not help us. We are sick of being the dumping and experimental grounds to find out if something is going to work that hurt us." - Resident of South Lumberton #Justice4Lumberton

Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League points out that 49% of the population in the county does not have access to internet. #Justice4Lumberton

"If this is an experimental process, why did they pick this place to do this experiment at? Why is this community's residents not being treated as they should be?" Fati Brown challenging this untested technology. #Justice4Lumberton

NC State Representative Charles Graham shares his reasons for not supporting the permit, including the need for better community and citizen input, which is not possible during COVID-19. #Justice4Lumberton

"I am appalled actually that DAQ/DEQ would even consider granting a permit to this facility given the multiple crisis that the whole world is facing. I demand that DAQ/DEQ reject this permit." - Steven Norris of Alliance to Protect People and Places We Live #Justice4Lumberton

John Spruill points out major flaws in this virtual hearing, saying he lost connection five times despite a high-speed connection, adding to other voices saying this is not a substitute for allowing people to submit comments in person when it's safe to do so. #Justice4Lumberton

Attorney Patrick Anderson of @EnviroIntegrity says, "Underestimating emissions with wood pellet plants has been a consistent and troubling issue for years," coming from years of experience working on these issues. #Justice4Lumberton

"Those of you deciding on this permit need to ask yourselves, would you want this plant to go up in your community? Would you want your children to grow up around it? If your answer is no, then you are morally obligated to say no." - Cathy Buckley #Justice4Lumberton

Robeson County is noted for having higher than average rates of asthma and respiratory disease - Rachel Velez of @CleanWaterforNC explains the ways a new wood pellet mill would add more #pollution, exacerbating health issues. #Justice4Lumberton

Rev. Tyrone Watson of @RobesonNAACP had to travel to a friend's house to attend the Virtual Public Hearing and believes this is "a matter of life or death," adding the hearing should be delayed to allow more people to attend in person who cannot join virtually. #Justice4Lumberton

"Neither the concerns of the community nor the cumulative impacts to the community and surrounding area are being considered." - Sherri White-Williamson #EnvironmentalJustice Coordinator for @NCConservation #Justice4Lumberton

Mara Frank pointing out that, at this point in the hearing, overwhelmingly comments have been in favor of denying the permit, with very strong arguments. #Justice4Lumberton #lumberton4forests

Joel Porter of @cleanairNC calls on the AEG permit to be denied to protect the #health of residents, citing dangerous and toxic air pollutants. #Justice4Lumberton

"We ask that NCDEQ should adequately consider cumulative impacts and the #environmentaljustice impacts. It’s time the DEQ say no and protect our communities from the polluters that care nothing about Robeson County." Jeff Currie of Lumber Riverkeeper #Justice4Lumberton

Anita Cunningham, who lives near the site for the proposed wood pellet mill, says the county is already overburdened with environmental detriments & is still recovering from past hurricanes. Trees that would be cut down would otherwise protect them from storms. #Justice4Lumberton