The state budget recently signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper, his first since taking office, provides significant funding for resilience and conservation, but the 1,200-page spending plan also includes provisions that could undermine environmental protections.
Years of flood disasters drove NC’s new resiliency funding
After years of climate disasters across North Carolina, the newly approved state budget includes hundreds of millions of dollars for new programs and initiatives to address flooding and bolster resilience to storms.
Redistricting votes expected
Mapmaking for new districts is drawing to a close after a series of hearings and public comment sessions on a variety of proposals for redrawn districts for Congress and the state House and Senate.
Energy bill with carbon-reduction goals clears legislature
The measure would require Duke Energy and other major electricity producers to cut carbon dioxide emissions 70% by 2030, with a goal of zero carbon by 2050.
Governor, legislative leaders in budget talks
With House and Senate agreement on a state spending plan, it looks like another drawn-out budget battle with the governor may be avoided.
There’s consensus on resilience, but don’t say ‘climate’
Amid broad bipartisan agreement on resiliency, flood mitigation and land conservation policy and funding in Raleigh, there are certain terms that still raise suspicion among some in the legislature.
House, Senate in budget talks as key differences remain
Both chambers plan to spend $25.7 billion this year and $26.7 billion next year, but a House and Senate conference committee are set to begin working through differences large and small.
House budget boosts resilience, but wetlands plan draws ire
The House budget unveiled Thursday includes almost $2 billion for flood prevention, resiliency and stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, but a provision affecting wetlands protection may conflict with those goals.
Federal infrastructure deal could mean billions for state
Although details are yet to be finalized, the deal struck this week on a major federal infrastructure spending plan could mean billions for N.C. transportation, resilience and clean water projects.
After years of cuts, House eyes boost for Land, Water Fund
North Carolina’s Land and Water Fund for conservation and restoration projects is on track for an appropriation at a level not seen in more than a decade.
Senate budget includes fisheries studies, ferry funding
The state Senate’s two-year spending plan approved last week includes funding for fisheries research, expanding the shellfish lease program and a new loan program for growers, along with a new dedicated fund for Ferry Division capital expenses.
Language from PFAS bills rolled into Senate budget
Provisions aimed at stepping up state monitoring of contaminants known as per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances were wrapped into the Senate budget plan released this week.
Flood-resilience study reveals solutions, big challenges
The large-scale Stoney Creek project in Wayne County has shown that using natural and working lands to hold back stormwater can be an effective solution to repeated flooding of homes and infrastructure, but some places face a losing battle.
Senate, House settle on spending caps, details to follow
House and Senate negotiators last week settled on increased budget ceilings for the next two years, but exact numbers by department have yet to be spelled out.
Consensus builds for major flood mitigation legislation
The House and Senate continue to address flood prevention and resilience in this year’s session of North Carolina General Assembly.
GOP likely to block Delli-Gatti’s confirmation as DEQ chief
Senate Republicans said Wednesday they won’t confirm Dionne Delli-Gatti as the first woman to lead the state Department of Environmental Quality, a move Democrats say has nothing to do with qualifications.
