Offshore drilling opponents in the U.S. House and nine state legislatures introduced this week a barrage of bills to stop new drilling and seismic exploration for oil and gas.
Energy
Wind Moratorium’s Economic Toll In Focus
As the expiration date for the state’s 18-month moratorium on wind energy development draws near, its economic costs to northeastern N.C. counties are becoming clearer.
NC’s New Stance On Climate Change, Energy
The governor’s remarks last week on climate change and energy policy signaled a stark departure from the state’s past direction, but despite continued challenges in the legislature, attitudes may already be changing.
New Dawn, New Rules for Solar in Currituck
Work is set to begin this winter on Currituck County’s third solar farm, as county officials prepare to consider in the weeks ahead new zoning rules for solar energy projects.
Currituck County OKs Grandy Solar Farm
Currituck County commissioners voted Monday, following court-ordered instructions, to approve a permit for Ecoplexus Inc. to turn the site of the old Goose Creek Golf Course into a solar farm.
DEQ’s Regan Meets With Coastal Officials
Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan met this week with elected officials in the region to discuss risks to the state’s coastal economy and environment from offshore drilling and seismic testing.
‘Don’t Drill!’ Reverberates in Raleigh
Busloads of coastal residents descended on Raleigh Monday to register their opposition to offshore drilling as federal officials hosted a public meeting on the Trump administration’s oil and gas leasing plan.
Cooper Warns Zinke of Lawsuit Over Drilling
After Gov. Roy Cooper’s meeting with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Saturday in Raleigh, he and other opponents of offshore drilling and seismic exploration remained determined to fight the Trump energy plan.
Cooper Promises Lawsuit Over Exemption
Gov. Roy Cooper in Wrightsville Beach Monday reiterated his opposition to the Trump administration’s plan for drilling for oil and gas off the coast and vowed a lawsuit if the state isn’t granted an exemption as Florida recently received.
Coastal Advocates Vow to Fight Drilling Plan
Environmental advocates and elected officials in Dare County are gearing for a fight against the recently released plan by the Trump Administration to open most of the U.S. coast to offshore drilling.
Brunswick Board Nixes New Solar Farm Rules
Brunswick County commissioners this week rejected proposed restrictions on solar farms that they said would impede the rights of private property owners.
Environmentalist, Oil Exec Face Off at Forum
Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, and John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil Co., shared their perspectives on offshore drilling Tuesday in Wilmington.
Brunswick Seeks to Limit Size of Solar Farms
Brunswick County’s planning board is recommending rule changes that would cap the size and tighten setback requirements for solar farms.
Onslow School Celebrates Solar Achievement
Faculty, students and former students of Queens Creek Elementary School in Onslow County recently dedicated a 5-kilowatt solar array, a project that’s been years in the making.
Wood Pellet Demand, Opposition Growing
Opponents of the growing wood pellet industry in the Southeast say the product, which is subsidized when burned as a renewable energy source in the U.K., is harming the environment globally and wiping out forests here.
Moratorium: Wind Developers Mull Options
Wind energy developers with projects in the works in eastern North Carolina are keeping a wary eye on the state in the wake of a recently imposed 18-month moratorium.
