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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, methane is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, accounting for about 16 percent of global emissions. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina weighs in on Duke Energy's methane gas proposal

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is giving residents a chance to voice their opinion on a plan which could influence how their electricity is g…

The United Nations experts also expressed concern over a Chemours application to expand PFAS production in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

United Nations: Chemical giants 'ignored human rights' in NC

United Nations experts are raising concerns about chemical giants DuPont and Chemours, saying they've violated human rights in North Carolina…

House Bill 951, passed by the General Assembly in 2021, requires the North Carolina Utilities Commission to review and renew the Carbon Plan every two years, updating it to reflect changes in available technologies and energy sources. (Adobe Stock)

Group empowers NC residents to advocate for sustainable future

A North Carolina nonprofit focused on climate justice wants to help people advocate for their views about Duke Energy's proposed Carbon Plan…

According to TheWorldCounts.com, more than 48 million tons of electronic waste have been thrown out, a growing issue because of the toxic chemicals that can have dangerous health impacts such as birth defects and kidney damage. (Adobe Stock)

NC lawmakers push for repair scores to reduce electronic waste

Legislators in North Carolina and across the country are demanding more information for residents about longevity and repairability of tech devices…

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the proposed standards for coal and natural gas power plants would result in avoiding up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions through 2042. (Adobe Stock)

Deadline Nears to Comment on Proposed NC Pollution Standards

Climate change is a pressing concern as the world deals with heat waves and poor air quality caused by recent wildfires. To safeguard the health and …

Union County averaged 1.3 high ozone days giving them a

NC Air Report Highlights Needs for Emission Reduction, Rural Air Monitoring

A new study emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced air quality monitoring in rural regions, while drawing attention to the efforts required to …

As many as 1 million military and civilian staff and their families might have been exposed to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims Continue to Climb

After federal legislation reduced red tape, military families who were exposed in past decades to drinking water laced with industrial solvents…

Research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found air pollution emitted by livestock waste and fertilizer application across the United States contributes significantly to premature deaths in nearby communities. (Adobe Stock)

Push to Weigh Cumulative Impacts of Air Pollution in NC Permitting Process

Environmental groups are pushing for changes to North Carolina's industry-permitting process, which they say does not account for the cumulative …

Plastic and litter pollution disproportionately affects marginalized communities, where residents often live in close proximity to plastic-production and waste sites, according to the United Nations Environment Program. (Adobe Stock)

During Black History Month, NC Groups Push for More Say on Climate Policies

North Carolina environmental-justice groups are calling for increased representation in crafting state policies related to environmental issues…

North Carolina could join the 11 states that make up the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a market-based collective to cap and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from the power sector. (Adobe Stock)

NC Steps Closer to Joining States Committed to Reducing Carbon Emissions

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A state environmental committee is considering a proposal to set a process in motion to reduce carbon emissions from power plants…

In cities like Wilmington, N.C., Black residents are more likely to live in areas with higher levels of air particles known as

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Biden Executive Orders Prioritize Climate, Environmental Justice

RALEIGH, N.C. -- President Joe Biden will release a slew of executive orders aimed at curbing pollution, conserving natural lands, and addressing …

Hurricane Florence in 2018 caused extensive flooding in North Carolina, with damage that's still being cleaned up in some areas. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Local Journalists Team Up to Cover Climate Change Amid Pandemic

Print version by Dan Barkin Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for The Raleigh News & Observer - North Carolina News Service collaboratio…

Researchers estimated 18.9 billion pounds of glyphosate, the key ingredient in the weed killer Roundup, have been used globally. (Adobe Stock)

$10 Billion Roundup Settlement Highlights EPA’s Regulatory Failure

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The German company Bayer has agreed to shell out around $10 billion to around 95,000 plaintiffs who alleged that glyphosate…

Research suggests exposure to air pollution over time can contribute to the development of serious lung conditions. (Adobe Stock)

Deadline Looms for Public Comments on EPA’s Transparency Rule

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Time is running out for public comments on a proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule change that would block the agency from …

It's estimated that worldwide, around 2,220 metric tons of mercury are emitted each year. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Chips Away at Mercury Rule; Critics Say Communities of Color at Risk

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that 2016 air-pollution controls placed on mercury emitted from coal-fired power …

In 2017, North Carolina residents discovered that Chemours, a spin-off of DuPont, had been dumping PFAS into the Cape Fear River near its Fayetteville plant for decades. (Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Possible PFAS Chemical-Discharge Sites Top 2,500

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Almost 70 companies or plants in North Carolina are among those likely releasing chemicals known as PFAS into the air and water of …

Cars are among the largest contributor to greenhouse-gas emissions driving climate change. (Adobe Stock)

Weaker EPA Car Emissions Rule Puts Americans' Health at Risk

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a new rule that allows automakers to reduce car emissions by just 1.5% through 2026…

Nationwide, most coal ash is disposed into lined landfills, known as ponds, often located near power plants where the coal was burned. (Adobe Stock)

Judge Revokes Coal-Ash Fill Permits for Chatham, Lee Counties

RALEIGH, N.C. - A judge in Raleigh has revoked permits that would have allowed coal ash to be dumped at mine sites in Chatham and Lee counties…

In October, the Trump administration repealed 2015 regulations that protected streams, wetlands and rivers from polluting chemicals. (Adobe Stock)

Conservation Groups Challenge Repeal of Clean Water Act Protections

RALEIGH, N.C. — Conservation groups are suing the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers over the Trump administration's …

For decades, toxic chemicals known as PFAS seeped into the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, contaminating residents' drinking water supply. (Adobe Stock)

Chemours, DuPont Battle Over Cape Fear River Chemical Cleanup

RALEIGH, N.C. - A 64 page complaint filed by Chemours against its parent company, DuPont, reveals a battle between the two companies over which one …

In 2017, scientists discovered GenX, a toxic and carcinogenic compound, in the Cape Fear River. (Adobe Stock)

Communities Still in Dark on Cape Fear River Contamination

WILMINGTON, N.C. - It's been two years since communities surrounding the Cape Fear River found out their water supply had been contaminated by a …

The Cape Fear River in Wilmington, N.C. (David Broad/Wikimedia Commons)

Study Finds Byproducts of Teflon Chemical in Wilmington Residents

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Researchers have detected chemical byproducts related to an emerging contaminant known as GenX in Wilmington residents…

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality heard from thousands of residents across the state since a major spill at a Duke Energy plant in February 2014 dumped thousands of pounds of coal ash into the Dan River. (Sam Kepple/Appalachian Voices)

Public Sentiment Prevails in Fight for NC Coal-Ash Cleanup

RALEIGH, N.C. - The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality ruled this week that Duke Energy must excavate its last coal impoundments in …

Enviva is one of the largest producers of wood chips and pellets in the world, and plans to expand production in North Carolina. (Southern Environmental Law Center)

Groups File Lawsuit to Protect Clean Air in NC County

HAMLET, N.C. – Clean Air Carolina is challenging an air quality permit for Enviva Hamlet, a large wood pellet manufacturing facility being …

In his confirmation hearing, some Senate Democrats criticized Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, for his actions to undo Obama-era rules intended to improve the environment and protect public health. (USDA)

NC Moms Question EPA Nominee's Coal Ties

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Moms from North Carolina are among those asking elected leaders to think hard about confirming Andrew Wheeler as the nation's …

The Trans Alaskan Pipeline is one of the world's largest pipeline systems. The proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline would run between West Virginia and North Carolina. (Twenty20)

New Documentary Features Impact of Climate Change on NC

PEMBROKE, N.C. – Evidence of climate change is all too real for eastern North Carolina residents confronting the monumental damage from …

Methyl bromide reduces the spread of invasive pests when logs are exported, but it comes at a cost to the health of residents and the ozone layer. (Anna L Martin/Flickr)

NC Community Finds Power in Social Media to Protect Its Environment

DELCO, N.C. – A public outcry has resulted in a potential shift in state regulation of a chemical that many scientists say is a danger to …

A decrease in fuel-efficiency progress could have a significant impact on cities such as Asheville with a high volume of traffic and large tourism economy. (SelenaNBH/flickr)

NC Tourism, Citizen Health Could Be Impacted by Fuel-Efficiency Roadblock

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday announced a proposed rule that would put a freeze on fuel-economy standards …

While it is unregulated by the EPA, there are concerns about human exposure to the chemical GenX and the fact it does not break down in the environment. (Vinoth Chandar/Flickr)

Critics: NC Water Safety Act Endangers Water Quality

WILMINGTON, N.C. – This week, North Carolina lawmakers consider identical bills in House and Senate that would change the way the Department of …

$In areas where shale-drilling and hydraulic fracturing is heavy, a dense web of roads, pipelines and well pads turns continuous forests and grasslands into fragmented islands. (Simon Fraser University/flickr)$

Duke Researchers Find Radioactive Contamination in Fracking Wastewater

DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina legalized fracking as a method of drilling for natural gas in 2014. While no permits have been issued, there is …

GenX is one chemical used in the past to manufacture the nonstick surface of Teflon. It is found in numerous products, including nonstick pans. (Thomas/flickr)

No Agreement Yet: Eastern NC Water Safety Remains in Limbo

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The wheels of government are turning slowly for residents who count on the Cape Fear watershed for their drinking supply…

Many pieces of construction equipment and vehicles produce high emissions, but starting in January, two hospital systems in Charlotte will implement policies to limit their pollution. (Mahmoud Hashemi/flickr)

NC Hospitals Offer Breath of Fresh Air, Literally

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Two major hospital systems in the state are taking steps to make sure their communities and patients breathe easier on their …

The state is asking additional questions about a proposed natural gas pipeline that Duke Energy and Dominion Energy want to run through Virginia and North Carolina. (keifer.miller/flickr)

Unanswered Questions: NC Gas Pipeline Delayed

Correction: Reach of pipeline corrected. (9:30 am MST, 12/4/2017) RALEIGH, N.C. -- A pipeline that would carry natural gas across North Carolina and …

The waste created by coal-burning power plants, coal ash contains heavy metals and other toxic compounds. (Facing South)

NC Counties Fight Disposal of Coal Ash in Their Community

PITTSBORO, N.C. – Duke Energy continues to look for a home for the millions of tons of coal ash generated by its coal-fired power plants…

The CTS building was torn down in 2012, but chemical cleanup remains incomplete. (POWER Action Group)

EPA Report on NC Superfund Site: Progress Made, More Steps Needed

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The cleanup of an Asheville Superfund site is making progress, the Environmental Protection Agency said in a report released …

North Carolinians generate thousands of pounds of electronics waste every year, and up until now a state program has facilitated the recycling of that material. (Morguefile.com)

Effort to Lift Electronics Ban in NC Landfills Stalls in Senate

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina companies and individuals for six years have participated in a program to recycle unwanted electronics to comply with …

The Obama administration has abandoned plans to lease parts of the Outer Continental Shelf off the Atlantic Coast to offshore drilling companies. (SirDouglas/morguefile)

Obama Administration Drops Plans for Drilling Off NC Coast

OUTER BANKS, N.C. - Along with a breath of ocean air, residents and businesses along the North Carolina coast might be breathing a sigh of relief…

Land conservation groups in western North Carolina are protecting water resources by securing land from potential development. (David Ellis/flickr.com)

NC Land Conservation Offers Protection From Another "Flint"

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Flint, Michigan is hundreds of miles away from North Carolina, but images of brown water coming from kitchen taps and tales of …

North Carolina's Child Health Report Card says the state has work to do when it come to offering parents access to health care. (Yooperann/flickr.com)

Mixed Report: Health of NC's Children

RALEIGH, N.C. - The health of North Carolina's children has the potential to impact the state for generations to come and this year the state is …

Smokers in North Carolina spend an average of $88,000 over their lifetime on their habit, which is less than in many other states. (erdenebayer/morguefile)

Cigarette Smoking in NC: A Million-Dollar Habit?

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The average smoker in North Carolina will spend $88,000 on their habit over a lifetime. That's according to new data from the …

President Barack Obama makes final preparations to the State of the Union address, in which he reiterated his commitment to climate action. (Whitehouse.gov)

North Carolina: Next Home to "Silicon Valley" of Climate Action?

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The commitment to climate action that President Barack Obama emphasized in his State of the Union address this week came as …

Credit: Experts and the state are asking parents to discourage underage drinking among their children during the holidays and throughout the year. Credit: maldoR/morguefile.com

First-time Alcohol Use Among Youth in the Holidays Increases

RALEIGH, N.C. - December is one of the prime months when youths experiment with alcohol, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health…

Lumber Liquidators is the first major home-improvement retailer to require that flooring it sells be free of contaminated plastics. Credit: Dwight Burdette/Wikimedia Commons

Momentum Grows to Eliminate Toxic Chemicals in Consumer Products

RALEIGH, N.C. - It's a big week for big-box stores and large retailers, as North Carolinians gear up for Black Friday shopping. Health advocates say …

North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality is one plaintiff in a 24-state lawsuit opposing the federal government and the implementation of the EPA's Clean Power Plan. Photo credit: Matthew Connors/Morguefile.

N.C. Dept. of Environmental Quality Fights EPA Clean Power Plan

RALEIGH, N.C. – The state agency charged with protecting North Carolina's environmental quality is a plaintiff in a multi-state lawsuit against …

Hundreds of cyclists of all skill levels will ride on Saturday to raise money for the North Carolina Coastal Federation's ongoing restoration and education projects. Courtesy: Sam Bland/N.C. Coastal Federation.

Efforts to Restore N.C. Coast Pedal Toward Success

NEWPORT, N.C. – The summer beach season may be winding down along North Carolina's coast, but the work to maintain the health of the shoreline …

PHOTO: A federal appeals court has upheld the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, just as the EPA announced its Clean Power Plan. Gov. McCrory says he'll fight the latter. Photo credit: wallyir/morguefile.com.

Mixed Responses in NC to Clean Power Plan, Court Ruling

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan is making headlines this week, but clean-energy advocates say it isn't the …

PHOTO: While some say North Carolina's air quality has improved, others argue it remains unhealthy. House lawmakers are considering a legislative reform package which includes provisions that environmental groups say would abandon progress on air quality in the state. Photo credit: Dana Lane/Flickr.<br /><br />

North Carolina Air Quality Regulations on Chopping Block

RALEIGH, N.C. – Regulatory reform legislation is a top agenda item for North Carolina House lawmakers as they return to work this week. H.B…

PHOTO: Wetlands in North Carolina will see greater protection under the new clean water rules issued by the EPA. Photo credit: bobistraveling/Wikimedia Commons

EPA Issues Clean Water Rule, Fight for Environmental Justice Continues in NC

WALNUT GROVE, N.C. - On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Waters of the U.S. rule that will offer protection to 2 …

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