Sen. Harry Brown said last week during his testimony in a partisan redistricting trial that his measure to limit sites for wind energy projects won’t be taken up again this session.
Legislature
Cooper Signs Shellfish Aquaculture Bill
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.
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
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.
Legislators Preview New Shellfish Bill
Rep. Pat McElraft and Sen. Norm Sanderson told attendees at the annual Oyster Summit in Raleigh they plan to introduce legislation that addresses conflicts related to the state’s shellfish leasing program.
Local Taxes Could Fund Storm Repairs, Inlets
Legislators included new ways to raise cash for coastal towns’ storm-related expenses and infrastructure needs, such as local-option sales taxes, in a spate of bills filed in recent days.
Reckoning with Climate Change Ahead
In the wake of Hurricane Florence, the North Carolina General Assembly has given more attention to climate change, though some legislators remain skeptical.
Session Ahead: Oysters, Storm Damage, PFAS
Reports on shellfish mariculture initiatives, hurricane relief and GenX appear early on the agenda as the N.C. General Assembly ramps up its 2019 session.
