Putting more than 19,000 state rules in their proper bucket has begun in the first phase of a complicated and time-consuming review process mandated by the N.C. General Assembly.
Sutton Ponds High on Clean-Up List
With the N.C. General Assembly session just a few weeks away, the prospect of a coal ash bill appears likely. The Sutton power plant near Wilmington is considered a priority for clean-up plans.
As Sand Rushes In, a Deadline Looms
As a dredge makes its way to the nearly impassable Oregon Inlet once again, a legislative task force hurries to finish its report on the state’s plans for taking over the inlet and adjacent land on the Outer Banks in Dare County.
A Sneak Preview of the Coming Session
Environmental bills that the N.C. General Assembly will likely consider this year include one that would loosen restrictions on environmental ordinances passed by local governments.
Deja Vu All Over Again?
A task force created by the state legislature is studying ways to acquire Oregon Inlet and adjacent lands. With the land in hand, the state could then resurrect the old plan to build jetties at the inlet.
Feds Widen Probe of Coal Ash Ponds
The U.S. attorney in Raleigh issued more subpoenas that widened the probe of the state’s oversight of all toxic coal ash ponds, including three near Wilmington.
What Is an Environmental Ordinance?
That’s one of the major questions N.C. legislators will have to answer as they again attempt to rein in a city or town’s ability to pass ordinances meant to protect the environment.
Water, Wetland Rules Up First
A public meeting next week will start a multi-year process ordered by the N.C. General Assembly that could subject every environmental rule to revision or repeal. Water-quality rules covering everything from sewer plants to shellfish beds are first under the gun.
CRC to Finally Get Down to Work
After a legislature-mandated shakeup that reduced its numbers and replaced roughly two-thirds of its membership, a newly-reconstituted N.C. Coastal Resources Commission starts work this week.
What? Fracking on the Coast?
Banning the use of injection wells for wastewater from fracking and expanding the regions under consideration for exploration, including several coastal counties, were among the issues detailed in a recent meeting of a legislative committee.
Water Bill Worries Jones, Others on Coast
As it heads to a conference committee, the federal water resources bill still has some skeptics on the N.C. coast, chief among them U.S. Rep. Walter Jones.
McCrory Releases CRC Appointments
Officials with the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources are hopeful that a slate of appointments released by the governor’s office yesterday means the Coastal Resources Commission can soon return to work.
Coastal Parks, Aquaria Could Get $5 Million
Cultural and historic sites on the coast will see more than $5 million in much-needed repairs under a plan released this month by the McCrory administration.
CRC: ‘Essentially Out of Business’
The state’s Coastal Resources Commission had to postpone this week’s meeting in Nags Head because it’s still severely shorthanded after the legislature fired most of its members.
CRC Meeting: Quorum or Quandary
The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission meets today to decided whether to appeal a court ruling. But only four members are left after the legislature fired most of the panel. Can the commission legally conduct business with less than a third of its members?
Commissions Are Out of Business
The state’s environmental commissions couldn’t meet if they had to after the legislature fired most members and replacements have yet to be chosen.
