With galleries locked after disruptions, Jim Igoe of Durham stands outside listening to the state House session on his phone. A last-minute proposal to increase class sizes was not approved. Photo: Kirk Ross RALEIGH — There were two sessions of the North Carolina General Assembly last week, one aimed at…
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Extra Session Called After Disaster Relief Vote
…Rep. Henry Michaux Jr., D-Durham, left, and Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, speak Wednesday during the break between sessions. Photo: Kirk Ross In the course of a few minutes around 2 p.m., House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, closed the hurricane and wildfire relief special session called by Gov. Pat McCrory and…
McCrory Outlines Matthew Recovery Plan
Gov. Pat McCrory speaks during a briefing of the Hurricane Matthew Recovery Committee earlier this week at the state Emergency Management Center. Photo: Kirk Ross RALEIGH – Gov. Pat McCrory plans to call a special session of the legislature within the next month to address Hurricane Matthew recovery plans, but…
DEQ: No Push to Relax Buffer Rules
…standards under an ongoing review of all rules mandated by the legislature in 2013. N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Assistant Secretary Tom Reeder speaks last week before the General Assembly’s Environmental Review Commission. Photo: Kirk Ross In a series of briefings to the commission, Reeder, who previously headed up the…
Sutton Ash Plan Begins to Take Shape
…Kirk Ross Commission Meets Under a Cloud The Sutton changes and the new Duke excavation and removal plans were among the heaps of information ready for the new Coal Ash Management Commission when it got down to business in Chapel Hill for its first meeting on Nov. 14. The commission…
Study: N.C. Could Reap the Wind
…the study notes. Oceana’s Randy Sturgill says offshore wind would create 48,000 jobs in North Carolina. Photo: Kirk Ross David Roger, field director for Environment North Carolina, said while there’s so much focus on oil and gas, he hopes legislators don’t forget the potential for wind energy. “I think it’s…
View from N.C. Beaches: Surf, Dolphins and Oil Rigs?
…would not rule out oil and gas development closer to shore if the resources were found there and suggested that legislation be revised so that coastal communities receive more royalties from offshore development. Photo: Kirk Ross RALEIGH – Gov. Pat McCrory said he supports new tests for potential oil and…
Deja Vu All Over Again?
…headwinds The Oregon Inlet Land Acquisition Task Force has met three times. Photo: Kirk Ross Even if the economic case being made wins over legislators, there are considerable cost and engineering and environmental hurdles to overcome. At its meeting last week, the task force heard from Tom Jarrett, who as…
Proposed Landfill Bill Generates Concern, Criticism
…coast, where proposed “mega-landfill” projects led to a 2006 moratorium and a study of the state’s solid waste policies. The study was used to draft the 2007 legislation. “Moral Mondays” protesters at the legislature June 17 express their opposition to rolling back environmental protections placed on landfills. Photo: Kirk Ross…
Groin Project Would Benefit One Family Most Directly
Sand bags attempt to slow down erosion at the east end of Ocean Isle Beach. Photo: Kirk Ross. OCEAN ISLE BEACH — Since the N.C. General Assembly passed a bill last year allowing four terminal groins along the beach — the first hardened structures allowed on the North Carolina oceanfront…
Groups Aim to Keep Fishing Traditions Alive
…seafood. Connie Mason, right in purple shirt, leads a discussion at the Local Catch Summit in Morehead City. Photo: Kirk Ross The Feb. 22 Local Catch Summit, sponsored by North Carolina Sea Grant and Saltwater Connections, drew about 25 representatives from North Carolina’s four local-catch groups — Carteret Catch, Brunswick…
GOP likely to block Delli-Gatti’s confirmation as DEQ chief
…confirmation to lead the Department of Environmental Quality. ” pic.twitter.com/Vu6JLVma3G — Kirk Ross (@ludkmr) June 2, 2021 The Senate’s plans drew a sharp reaction from environmental groups, who called the move partisan politics. “Dionne Delli-Gatti has significant education and experience to lead DEQ, a job she has done well for…