One of the General Assembly’s six proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot this fall would significantly shift toward the legislature the state’s longstanding balance of power in environmental regulation.
Legislature
Coastal Changes OK’d In Whirlwind Session
A controversial shellfish aquaculture bill appeared stalled at the week’s end, but the N.C. General Assembly has already approved dozens of coastal provisions in their rush to wrap up the session by the end of the month.
Hog Farm Lawsuit Protections Pass
North Carolina legislators have approved the NC Farm Act of 2018, which includes provisions to restrict farm nuisance lawsuits.
Budget Plan Funds Dredge, GenX Studies
Among other coastal provisions, Republicans’ state budget proposal released Monday commits $15 million for a dredge for Oregon Inlet and $5 million to the N.C. Policy Collaboratory for GenX research.
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.
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.
Reworked GenX Bill Goes Back to House
Disagreements over how to address GenX and other emerging contaminants were heated Friday but the state Senate passed its version of a funding bill, which some say falls short.
New Questions As GenX Debate Continues
New questions regarding the state’s regulatory authority have emerged as the debate continues over how to respond to the issue of GenX and other emerging contaminants.
Stalemate On GenX: Senate Says No Urgency
Despite the House’s unanimous support of a bill with money to address GenX in drinking water supplies in the southeastern part of the state, Senate leaders say they need more time to consider options.
GenX Bill Orders Studies, Provides No Money
The House Select Committee on North Carolina River Quality approved legislation Thursday that mandates three GenX-related studies and a review of the science for health advisories but includes no additional funding for the studies or state response.
State’s Changes, Challenges to Continue
This year saw changes in the state and federal government that will likely shape environmental policy in the coming year.
GenX Bills Expected During January Session
The North Carolina General Assembly is ramping up to its return to Raleigh Jan. 10, 2018, with plans to address immediate needs related to GenX and other emerging contaminants.
New State Fund to Go Toward Sand Projects
The legislature, in its recent override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of House Bill 56, created a new state fund to help local governments pay for beach re-nourishment projects, but where that money will come from remains uncertain.
GenX Battle Expected As Legislature Returns
State lawmakers head back to Raleigh this week with a showdown likely over Gov. Roy Cooper’s recent veto of an environmental bill that included limited funding to address GenX in the Cape Fear River.
GOP Blasts Cooper’s Veto of House Bill 56
Republican legislators called “troubling” Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto Thursday of the wide-ranging environmental bill that included, among other controversial provisions, only local funding to address GenX in Wilmington’s drinking water.
Analysis: Environmental Bills Shaped In Secret
Closed-door negotiations have increasingly become the norm in the North Carolina General Assembly, especially with contentious environmental measures such as the recently passed House Bill 56.