Raleigh Council Wants More Info On Butner BioLab
Wednesday, Feb 20, 2008 - 08:00 PM Updated: 11:09 PM
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RALEIGH, N.C. – The Raleigh City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to withhold its support for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility proposed for Butner.
City Council members said Tuesday they’d like more information on the laboratory, which could be built in Butner by the Department of Homeland Security.
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City Council members said Tuesday they’d like more information on the laboratory, which could be built in Butner by the Department of Homeland Security.
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Officials say the facility would have about a $1.65 billion impact on the state’s economy during its first 20 years.
The facility would replace one now at Plum Island, N.Y. where scientists research some of the most dangerous diseases in people and livestock. Once complete, the facility would employ as many as 500 scientists.
Granville officials previously supported the project, but county commissioners reversed their support after local residents voiced opposition.
Granville officials previously supported the project, but county commissioners reversed their support after local residents voiced opposition.
Raleigh council members said they have concerns about safety, and would like to discuss alternative locations. No other North Carolina locations are being considered for the lab.
Council members said they want federal officials to meet five conditions before they could consider supporting the facility:
• Respond to the city’s questions about the facility
• Explain plans for keeping sediment runoff from the facility out of Falls Lake, Raleigh’s source for drinking water
• Respond to safety questions posed by the Granville County Board of Commissioners
• Provide information about oversight of the facility
• Consider alternate sites in North Carolina for the facility.
• Explain plans for keeping sediment runoff from the facility out of Falls Lake, Raleigh’s source for drinking water
• Respond to safety questions posed by the Granville County Board of Commissioners
• Provide information about oversight of the facility
• Consider alternate sites in North Carolina for the facility.
Joanne Clayton, a resident opposed to the lab, attended the city council meeting. She said people need to be more informed.
“I think here are a lot of people who are in the dark,” she said. “They don't want to face it or either they don't want to get involved or they want somebody else to lead the fight I guess.”
A Homeland Security representative will visit Granville County Thursday for a public meeting.
North Carolina is a leading contender for the NBAF because of its strong public/private collaboration in the sciences and biotechnology.
If selected, North Carolina will lead the nation in world-class research and industry projects to protect our nation's health.
Other sites still in the running are in San Antonio; Athens, Ga.; Manhattan, Kan.; and Madison County, Miss.
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