The process for this year’s state budget, which includes key items for the coast such as beach renourishment and a private-public partnership to purchase a dredge for Oregon Inlet, is facing criticism.
GenX
New GenX Bills Prompt Enforcement Worries
GenX-related bills filed late last week in the N.C. General Assembly quickly drew criticism from environmental groups and a former regulator that they could create unintended consequences in the enforcement of existing pollution laws.
Coastal Research Projects Receive Funds
Three new research projects that address research flood risks, emerging contaminants and new tourism options focusing on dark skies have received funding from the North Carolina Community Collaborative Research Grant Program.
House, Senate Move Toward Deal on GenX
House and Senate leaders and legislators from New Hanover, Brunswick and Cumberland counties met behind closed doors Wednesday to try and hammer out a compromise on legislation to address GenX and other chemicals in the southeast region’s drinking water.
Cooper’s Budget Plan Funds Conservation
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday his budget proposal, which includes a return of the revenues from deed stamp taxes on real estate transactions to state conservation funds.
Cape Fear Reclassification Concerns Mayor
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo has requested that DEQ and the EPA provide more information on an effort that would designate a 15-mile stretch of the Cape Fear River as both a swamp and river water.
Collaboratory Studies: Better GenX Detection
Researchers with grants from the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory are proposing new, simpler ways to test for GenX and other emerging contaminants in drinking water and to encourage more frequent water sampling.
SELC Looks to Stop GenX, Other Chemicals
The Southern Environmental Law Center Monday asked DEQ to make Chemours stop all emissions and discharges of GenX and related compounds and threatened to sue the firm over federal pollution law violations.
Utility Board Set to Consider Filtering Options
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority directors are set to review the results of a study of options for filtering GenX and other contaminants found in the Wilmington area’s drinking water.
Panel to Advise DEQ on Environmental Justice
An advisory board introduced Wednesday at DEQ headquarters in Raleigh is tasked with guiding the agency’s decision making to ensure disadvantaged and minority populations’ interests are considered.
Event to Focus on Cape Fear River Plan
An open house on the Lower Cape Fear River Blueprint, a collaborative effort to protect, manage and restore the river and its natural resources, is set for May 22.
Utility, UNCW Stand By Contaminant Reports
Republicans in the House Committee on N.C. River Quality blasted them as ‘political,’ but UNC Wilmington and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority officials say their study reports on GenX and other contaminants in the water supply are accurate.
Policy Collaboratory Moves Into New Phase
After initial skepticism among Democrats, UNC faculty and environmental advocates, the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory appears to be finding its role and gaining support in its second year.
What Will GenX Health Studies Reveal?
Researchers hope to say this summer whether GenX and other compounds found in New Hanover County residents’ tap water are also in their bodies and what that means for their health.
GenX In Homes: 300 Join Health Effects Study
The tap water in Mary Alice and Skip Hinshaw’s home recently tested well above most of the nearly 200 homes in New Hanover County sampled for GenX in the first part of an ongoing human exposure study.
DEQ Develops Case to Halt GenX Emissions
The Department of Environmental Quality is moving through a process to stop Chemours’ GenX emissions, even if it means Chemours’ shutdown, as legislators consider their next steps ahead of the session that begins next month.
