North Carolina ranks 8th in the nation for emissions of mercury, a neurotoxin that comes from coal-burning power plants and can cause birth defects.

The federal data was released today by Environment North Carolina, a Raleigh group that's highlighting mercury emissions figures as it pushes for strict controls of the pollutant.

Mercury is classified as a hazardous air pollutant but it is not regulated at the federal level. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is expected to propose a standard in March. Environment North Carolina is pushing for a 90 percent reduction in nationwide mercury emissions.

North Carolina's greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere have risen 39 percent since 1990 as the state's appetite for energy has ballooned.

That's according to Environment North Carolina, an advocacy group that helped compile the global warming data from federal government research. Environment North Carolina, based in Raleigh, issued its conclusions today as part of a concerted advocacy effort across the country to issue regional reports on greenhouse gas emissions.

The increase is caused by more cars on the road burning more fuel, and more electricity being generated by the state's coal-burning power plants. Transportation and electricity account for the majority of carbon dioxide emissions that are believed to be the major contributor to global warming.

Hizzoner Bill Bell braved this morning's bright sun in a dark suit to announce that Durham is spending about $30,000 of $2 million in federal "stimulus" money to solarize the hot water in Fire Stations 12 and 15.

"This is a small step but a step in the right direction in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Bell said.

The announcement was made at a press conference attended by the mayor, City Councilman Mike Woodard, a field organizer for the conservation group Environment North Carolina and three reporters.

Woodard described the solar project as a win for Durham taxpayers and the environment. A good Democrat, he added, "Clearly it's a win for President Obama and his administration."

A dozen or so city employees also stepped out of their air-conditioned offices at the General Services building to be part of the occasion.

The location was symbolic, since general services installed a solar hot-water system last year, thus saving the $235 per month cost of heating its water with natural gas, according to city Energy Manager Dean Pricer.

Pricer said the system cost about $12,000 to buy and install, and savings should repay the investment in less than five years.