The N.C. Coastal Federation has asked for an environmental study of state plans for a wood pellet shipping facility at the port in Morehead City. Others think more safeguards are needed to protect the state’s forests.
Special Reports
Can Our Forests Safely Power Europe?
The rapid growth of the wood pellet industry in North Carolina has raised questions about how the surge to meet the demand of European power companies will affect the state’s 18 million acres of woodlands.
Are Wood Pellets Really Green?
Wood pellets made from N.C. coastal forests will soon be powering utility plants in Europe because of policies there that encourage replacing coal with wood. In this the first of four parts on wood pellets and the N.C. coast, we ask if wood is really better than coal.
Call a Cab — of Sorts — to Get By Busted Roadway
After Hurricane Sandy, there’s been no way to get to Buxton, Avon and the rest of southern Hatteras Island except by four-wheel drive or taking a long ferry ride. But now you can call a ‘taxi.’
State Still Struggles to Keep N.C. 12 Passable
More than a month after Hurricane Sandy passed the N.C. coast, state highway officials are still trying to keep traffic moving along Hatteras Island’s main roadway.
Sandy Slaps Outer Banks As She Goes By
The ocean flooded neighborhoods, covered N.C. 12 and felled a pier along the Outer Banks as Hurricane Sandy went by. Hatteras Island is once again cut off from the rest of the world.
Living in the Storm Track
Another hurricane season draws to an end and we here on the coast can begin to breath easier, but it’s worth remember what it’s like to live in the storm’s track.
After Irene, an Island Transformed
After Hurricane Irene passed a year ago, the Outer Banks were transformed. Houses were smashed to pieces, roads were buried under mountains of sand, inlets appeared where there were none. But the Bankers,as always, persevered.
Looking Back at Irene
The strong northeast winds that preceded Hurricane Irene a year ago pushed water away from the Outer Banks. Old hands knew that was a bad sign. Find out why in this reporter’s retrospective.
Still Fixing the Damage Left by Irene
State transportation officials most likely will replace the temporary bridge over the breach on Pea Island left by Irene with a permanent one at the same location, but it will still be months before the long-term fix is chosen for the highway breach in Rodanthe.
Sea-Level Rise Debate Brings Curtain Down
The N.C. House approved a watered-down but still controversial bill on sea-level rise in one of last acts of the legislative session.
New Bill on Sea-Level Rise Yet to Surface
As adjournment nears, legislators are still seeking a compromise on the controversial sea-level rise bill that passed the N.C. Senate but was rejected by the House.
State Policy Won’t Affect Insurance Rates
Contrary to what we heard coming out of the legislature the last few weeks, those in the insurance industry say the state’s policy on sea-level rise will have no affect on property or flood insurance rates.
Sea-Level Rise Plan Draws a Crowd
A packed room showed up on Pivers Island near Beaufort yesterday to listen to a discussion of the state’s now-famous draft policy on sea-level rise. That’s what worldwide media attention will do.
Senate Panel OKs Sea-Level Rise Bill
Unfazed by a barrage of worldwide criticism and outright ridicule, the Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Committee yesterday approved a bill that restricts the use of scientific modeling to predict future sea-level rise.
Sea-Level Rise Debate May Move to Raleigh
The N.C. General Assembly may consider a bill that would prevent the state from planning for the higher seas that many scientists expect later this century as the climate warms.
