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CATAWBA COUNTY P.O. Box 389 100-A South West Boulevard Newton, North Carolina 28658-0389 Telephone: 828-465-8201 www.catawbacountync.eov Fax: 828-465-8392 August 17, 2009 Senator Kay Hagan 310 New Bern Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 Dear Senator Hagan, It was good to see you at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Target Distribution Center here in Catawba County last Tuesday. As was noted in the remarks, our unemployment rate has risen to 15.4% with the loss of over 32,000 jobs regionally since 2001. Over 14,000 persons applied for the 400-500 jobs at the distribution center at the employment fair held in April. As chairwoman of our county commission I have worked diligently with our Economic Development Commission to grow jobs from both our existing businesses and new corporate interests. I am very concerned about the proposed Waxman-Markley Bill and the impact its passage would have on economic growth in my region. An increase of the Renewable Energy Standard (RES) greater than 12.5% adopted by North Carolina will result in more lost jobs and greater difficulty to recruit new businesses to our region due to higher costs for power. North Carolina has been a leader in setting standards for electric companies that are improving the air quality across our state. You are well aware of the compromise that was struck while you served as a State Senator. Being the chairman of the Unifour Air Quality Committee representing Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties for over eight years, I have witnessed positive results from the scrubbers and SCR unit that were added to Duke Power's Marshall Steam Plant here in Catawba County. We were designated non-attainment for both PM 2.5 and ozone pollutants over four years ago. With just slightly more than one year of data with the new controls placed on the plant, our region is in compliance and seeking reclassification of attainment. Health risks have been lowered, too. I firmly believe North Carolina has taken the right steps to protect its citizens while maintaining a reasonable rate structure that makes this State and region attractive for location of new businesses. I respectfully ask that you oppose any Federal standards that exceed the RES of 12.5% already in place in North Carolina. Thank you for your continued service to the people of North Carolina. Your consideration to allow the State standards to continue to improve air quality will be appreciated. Sincerely, .~~~ Kitty Barnes GREATER HICKORY "Keeping the Spirit Alive Since 1842!" METRO Attachment number 1 G-9 Page 442