RALEIGH – With the changeover in North Carolina’s executive branch, supporters of the state’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund are looking to build on recent increases and leave behind an era of uncertainty. Gov. Roy Cooper In his first budget plan released earlier this month, it was clear that Gov….
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Solar: Big Changes in Energy Bill Taking Shape
North Carolina ranks second in the nation in solar production, behind California. Photo: Public domain RALEIGH — Legislation that would make major changes to state energy policy, including sweeping revisions to solar energy regulations, is taking shape and could be introduced as soon as this month. Changes could include approval…
Legislators Eye Beach Sand Funding, Rules
A beach re-nourishment project underway in 2015 at North Topsail Beach. File photo RALEIGH — Coastal legislators are skeptical that the legislature will OK a permanent funding source for beach re-nourishment as proposed in a recent update to the state’s Beach and Inlet Management Plan. Meanwhile, a package of regulatory…
UNC Collaboratory Set to Begin Research
…and students across the system that are working on Hurricane Matthew projects to have a coordinating body,” Wall said. Smith, a professor in UNC’s Department of City and Regional Planning, also proposes deploying researchers to assist with needs assessments and recovery planning in areas hit by Matthew. The collaboratory also…
New Session, Same Environmental Battles
RALEIGH — A flap already in the newly sworn-in General Assembly over wind energy foretells a continuing battle over renewables, and going into the session that convenes next week, deep divides persist between House and Senate members on a number of other key environmental issues that stalled last year. House…
Legislators Seek to Shut Down Wind Farm
RALEIGH — A group of North Carolina legislators want to see a recently opened wind farm in Pasquotank and Perquimans counties shut down over what they say is interference with military radar. In a letter to Gen. John Kelly, the Trump administration’s pick for Secretary of the Department of Homeland…
Cooper Seeks to ‘Restore Credibility’ at DEQ
RALEIGH — The chairs of key environmental commissions, the secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, the department’s chief counsel and at least some of its division chiefs — that’s the short list of personnel changes ahead at DEQ as Gov-elect Roy Cooper readies to take office. With a prolonged…
Gauging Matthew’s Environmental Damage
…were no animals in them.” Feed and fuel supplies were also pre-positioned, Long said. “Those were some of the big things that helped this time around,” he said. “I think there were a lot of lessons learned after Floyd across industry, government and a lot of organizations as well.” The…
Matthew Relief Funding Remains in Limbo
Gov. Pat McCrory speaks Wednesday during the Hurricane Matthew Recovery Committee’s fourth regional meeting in Greenville. Photo: Department of Public Safety First of a multi-part series Although floodwaters from Hurricane Matthew receded a little more than a month ago, the storm’s effects will linger for years. And if past is…
Officials Eye Water Quality As Floods Recede
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA — Floodwaters are starting to recede upstream along the Tar, Pamlico, Cape Fear and Neuse rivers, but an increasingly contaminated flow of freshwater is headed downriver, eastward to the coast. The short-term prospects don’t look good for those ready for their first taste of local oysters this…
UNC Officials Appoint Collaboratory Advisers
Shown are the main administrative building at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Old Well, a symbol of the university. Photo: UNC-Chapel Hill CHAPEL HILL — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill officials have announced the appointment of a group of seven scientists and policy…
UNC Center Names Interim Director
…and Ives, he’s also taking a wait-and-see approach as the new center is set up. “The proof is in the pudding,” he said. Leonard said more transparency at this point is essential. “The two questions I’m primarily interested in and I know that the staff and governance bodies across the…