The governor has signed recently passed bill to dramatically overhaul North Carolina’s shellfish leasing program creates new shellfish enterprise areas and establishes three large-scale leases in Pamlico Sound.
Reworked Bill to Limit Wind Energy Advances
A version of a bill to restrict where wind energy development may happen in North Carolina that had stalled earlier this session passed the Senate this week but may undergo another revision.
Retooled Shellfish Leasing Bill Advances
Legislation authorizing expanded shellfish leasing in state waters advanced this week in the N.C. General Assembly, giving hope for success after a similar bill failed last year.
Senate Lowers Bottom Line on PFAS Funding
A big difference in the Senate’s version of the state budget and the House’s and governor’s proposals is how it addresses emerging contaminants such as polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Senate Budget Puts Tighter Hold on DEQ
The Senate released Tuesday its $24 billion, two-year spending plan, with big differences from the House and Cooper budgets that include environmental programs and DEQ funding.
Swine Farm Rules Change Proposed
Farm Act of 2019, which focuses on hemp industry regulations, but could loosen swine operation construction and upgrade requirements, will go before the Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Committee next week.
Water System Merger Bill Advances
Senate Bill 434 requiring the merger of the Bay River Metropolitan Sewerage District, which serves about 3,000 customers in Pamlico County, and the West Bay River system, which serves about 300 customers, would go into effect Oct. 1 if approved.
Brown to Revive Bill Limiting Wind Energy
Sen. Harry Brown says he plans to bring back legislation that stalled earlier this session that would make nearly the entire N.C. coast off limits to wind energy development.
Mix of Environmental Bills Survive Crossover
Both the House and Senate are set this week to consider bills that advanced before last week’s crossover deadline, including a number of controversial environmental measures.
House Budget Funds Recovery, Resilience
The House’s version of the state budget includes new spending on disaster relief and recovery and resiliency plans, but DEQ funding to address emerging contaminants comes up short.
Senate Mulls Fisheries, Shellfish Overhauls
Bills advanced Wednesday by Sen. Norm Sanderson would create a new shellfish leasing program and extensive changes to the state’s marine fisheries oversight
House Rolls Out Bulk of Budget Plans
House appropriations committees have approved funding for the Department of Environmental Quality lap upgrades and for the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.
Legislators Advance PFAS, Environmental Bills
State lawmakers have recently filed numerous environmental policy bills, including proposed new regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Legislative Action On GenX, PFAS Still On Hold
Although GenX remains in the Cape Fear region’s drinking water supply, the legislature has taken a nearly yearlong pause in addressing the problem.
Bills Would Extend Towns’ Marine Authority
Rep. Bob Steinburg has introduced legislation to give Manteo authority to address navigational needs and regulate anchoring and mooring of vessels within its waters.
NC Environmental Policy Talks Mostly Secret
In recognition of Sunshine Week, the annual celebration of access to public information, our Kirk Ross examines how the people’s work too often happens behind closed doors in Raleigh.
