An agenda and supporting documents will be posted before the meeting on the commission website.
energy
Pender revises zoning ‘to properly regulate’ solar farms
Commissioners amended zoning text Dec. 5, less than a week after a California-based solar company filed a lawsuit against the county for turning down its request for a permit.
Coastal researchers see potential in capturing ocean energy
As wind and solar become a bigger part of the energy mix, North Carolina researchers are looking to also harness the Atlantic Ocean’s power.
Groups challenge NC’s biogas general permit for hog farms
The Environmental Justice Community Action Network contend the Department of Environmental Quality’s biogas general permit for large-scale hog farms put communities at risk.
Supreme Court ruling will not stop NC’s required CO2 cuts
But the recent 6-3 decision limiting EPA authority to address climate change has broader national implications that will affect the Tar Heel State, environmental law experts say.
Competitors face off to create fresh water with wave power
Competition demonstrates that wave-powered desalination systems can supply fresh water to people in coastal locations, including in disaster-recovery situations.
On current trajectory, NC won’t meet climate goals
Second in a commentary series by Michelle Allen of the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund: The state, despite its leadership on climate policy, is on track to fall short of power sector carbon-reduction targets.
Order sets vital climate, equity goals; how will NC respond?
Guest columnist Michelle Allen with the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund writes that Gov. Roy Cooper’s Jan. 7 executive order sends an important signal on addressing climate change and creating a more equitable future, but swift action is needed.
Institute part of effort to study harnessing ocean’s energy
The Coastal Studies Institute on the Outer Banks is now part of a global scientific collaborative to capitalize on the blue economy, which was highlighted during the U.N. climate conference in November as a technological revolution.
Officials tout economic boom from offshore wind industry
Offshore wind manufacturing could bring an estimated $140 billion and tens of thousands of new jobs to North Carolina by 2035, if steps are taken now, say those who spoke during the first meeting last week of a state Commerce Department task force.
Methane’s climate effects get new attention during summit
Methane’s role as a greenhouse gas was recently elevated to new prominence during the U.N. climate change conference in Glasgow, but here in North Carolina, addressing a big source of emissions won’t be easy.
Researchers eye alternative energy to power state ferries
The North Carolina Ferry Division and university researchers are studying possible ways for alternative energy to power the state’s 21 ferries.
Duke to study offshore wind energy’s effects on marine life
With a recently announced $7.5 million federal grant, Duke University is leading a research project to better understand how offshore wind development can affect marine species.
Carolina Long Bay offshore wind lease sale announced
The Interior Department announced Thursday a proposed lease sale for offshore wind development off North Carolina and South Carolina.
Firm to build nation’s first offshore turbine blade facility
A company plans to build the nation’s first offshore wind turbine blade facility at the Portsmouth, Virginia, Marine Terminal.
Cooper signs bill with carbon-reduction goals
Gov. Roy Cooper has signed a bipartisan energy bill that directs the state Utilities Commission to work toward significant carbon-reduction goals for public energy producers.
