The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office wants to hear your ideas on how the state can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Beginning later this month, the department will kick off a series of public engagement meetings where participants will be provided information and may give feedback on DEQ’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction initiatives.
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Those initiatives are going to be part of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan.
The state received a $3 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for the planning phase of the plan, which will target reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants.
North Carolina’s planning project is a collective effort being led by DEQ that also includes the Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce and Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Last year, the state submitted its Priority Climate Action Plan in which it identified North Carolina’s highest priority greenhouse gas reduction measures. Discussion at the upcoming meetings will be based on the measures identified in that plan.
The plan is to be used in updating and expanding existing climate strategies in the state, “ensuring that these policies align with the latest available science, modeling and best practices,” according to a DEQ release.
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That plan is due to the EPA later this year.
Public engagement meetings will run through March and will be provided both in-person and virtually.
Register for the sessions using this form.
The first meeting will be held virtually on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. To join online go to: https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=ma5fde5df2dec2c062946bf9fc374d93a
The meeting number is 2432 204 2273 and the password is CPRG2025.
To join by telephone dial +1-415-655-0003 or U.S. toll +1-904-900-2303 and enter access code 2432 204 2273
The first in-person meeting will be hosted Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation, 6090 NC Hwy 711, Pembroke.
The following meetings will be held next month:
- 5 p.m. March 6 at the Cumberland County North Regional Public Library, 855 Mcarthur Road, Fayetteville.
- 6 p.m. March 13 at Western Piedmont Community College, 1001 Burkemont Ave., Morganton.
Meetings in northeastern and southeastern North Carolina are also planned, but dates were not announced.
A formal public comment period on the draft plan will open in August.
Members of the public may also provide feedback via email to cprg@deq.nc.gov with “CPRG Comment” in the subject line, or via voicemail by calling (919) 707-8672.
For additional information about the grant program and to view previous public information sessions visit the CPRG webpage.
