Topics Related to State Agencies

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is accepting comments on a proposed rule change that would effectively adopt the federal drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The comment period will open Dec. 16, and will end Feb. 14, 2025, with a public hearing planned on Jan. 7 in Raleigh.

The Public Water Supply (PWS) Section, which serves as the primacy agency to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has responsibility to implement and enforce provisions of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). As per publication in the federal register (Vol. 89, No. 42) on April 26, 2024, new and mandatory EPA requirements exist and await implementation by the PWS Section.

This application is now closed.

The Environmental Management Commission (EMC) is accepting public comments on proposed standards for three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31. The EMC and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold three hearings in November and December to receive public comment.

The Energy Policy Council is accepting public comment on the 2024 Draft Biennial Report now until November 11, 2024. To submit comments, email seo.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov.

Applications are closed. Award announcements will be made later this year. Please see the Program Timeline table below for updated dates.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) State Energy Office (SEO) is requesting applications for distribution of the North Carolina EECBG award. The funding for this program was awarded to SEO by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This funding is to be distributed throughout the state of North Carolina for the purpose of supporting building energy assessments, energy audits, and building upgrades.   

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provided additional federal funding for the state Weatherization Assistance Program. This funding is in addition to the annual amounts allocated to the agencies supporting the Weatherization Assistance Program and does not affect those allocations.North Carolina has developed a plan for the BIL funds and issued the following Request for Proposal (RFP) for a grant funded through the BIL plan: 

Applications are closed and awards have been made. For more information about awarded projects, read the press release. 

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) is accepting public comment through Nov. 22, 2024, on the 2024 Broad River Basin Plan. Basin plans help state and local leaders identify areas needing additional protection, restoration or preservation to ensure waters of the state are meeting water quality standards.