A group of business leaders that included officials from the Carteret County and Outer Banks chambers of commerce went to Washington, D.C., this week to urge President Obama to ban seismic testing in Atlantic offshore waters.
Energy
Electric Car Chargers Slated for Eastern NC
A legal settlement with Duke Energy led to a $1.5 million program to install electric vehicle chargers in N.C., which many think will be good for business in the eastern part of the state.
Guide Offers Ways to Reduce Seismic Risks
A Duke Marine Lab professor has co-written a new guide to minimizing risks to marine mammals for use by companies preparing to do seismic surveys for offshore oil and gas exploration.
Studies Link Biofuel Demand, Habitat Loss
Researchers with N.C. State and the U.S. Geological Survey say increasing demand for renewable energy, such as biomass or wood pellets as a fuel source, comes with trade-offs, including loss of wildlife habitat.
Plans Presented for Offshore Wind Auction
Federal officials this week outlined the steps in the process for a proposed lease of offshore sites for wind energy off Kitty Hawk during a public information meeting in Nags Head.
Questions Raised as Farmers Turn to Solar
As more farmers lease their lands to solar in North Carolina, more communities and state officials raise questions over the potential effects.
Wind Farm Is Windfall for Counties, Farmers
The Amazon wind farm going up in Pasquotank and Perquimans counties is providing needed tax revenue and a nice yearly income to farmers.
Critics Charge an Ill Wind Blows From Raleigh
Supporters say a bill passed Monday by the state Senate will protect vital military air space from land-based wind farms, while opponents charge it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing and is intended to kill wind energy.
Could Seismic Tests Harm Fish?
Opposition to the use of air guns to test for oil and natural gas deposits in the Atlantic Ocean has focused on whales and other marine mammals. Attention now shifts to fish.
Seismic Tests Continue to Make Waves
More scientists and coastal businesses are speaking out against the threat to endangered whales from seismic testing for oil and natural gas off the N.C. coast.
Groups Worry Seismic Tests Will Happen
Despite the recent announcement that plans to drill for oil and natural gas off the N.C. coast will not move forward during the next five years, several firms continue to seek federal permits for seismic exploration in the Atlantic.
Opponents Applaud Drilling Decision
Many on the N.C. coast applauded the announcement Tuesday that the federal government has taken Atlantic offshore waters off the list of proposed leasing areas for oil and natural gas drilling.
Trends Favor Cheaper Offshore Wind Power
As the federal government prepares to auction off areas for wind energy off the N.C. coast, trends in renewable energy hold promise that wind-power will soon become more competitive.
Fisheries Managers Go Slow on Seismic
Seismic survey planning work in an enormous area off the southern half of the Atlantic coast has been put on hold while federal fisheries managers review new information about potential harm to sea turtles and whales.
Congressmen Urge Halt to Seismic Permitting
Thirty-three congressmen have signed a letter urging federal regulators to consider new research before allowing seismic testing to begin off the East Coast.
Offshore Oil Ads Promise Jobs, Revenue
A petroleum industry lobbying group has launched an ad blitz to counter growing opposition to offshore drilling but critics say it’s the same old arguments.
