Press Releases

The N.C. Environmental Management Commission meetings scheduled for Sept. 19 and Sept. 20 in Raleigh have been cancelled. New meeting dates will soon be announced and posted on the commission website at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-commissions/environmental-management-commission. The N.C. Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board meeting planned for Sept. 24 has also been cancelled. More information on the board’s meetings is available online at:https://deq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-investigation/secretaries-science-advisory-board.

Marine Fisheries meetings cancelled due to storm impacts

In response to the recent update by Duke on the wastewater discharge at the Sutton Plant, DEQ Communications Director Megan S. Thorpe offered the following comment: DEQ has been closely monitoring all coal ash impoundments that could be vulnerable in this record breaking rain event. As soon as it is safe to do so, DEQ will be onsite at the Sutton Steam Plant to conduct a thorough inspection. Once the damage is assessed, DEQ will determine the best path forward and hold the utility accountable for implementing the solution that ensures the protection of public health and the environment.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission meeting that was scheduled for Sept. 19-20 in Wilmington has been cancelled due to the potential impacts from Hurricane Florence and the need for state officials to focus on post-storm damage assessments and response.

The sites of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve will close to visitors at noon today until further notice due to the threat of damage from Hurricane Florence, and to protect public safety from the potential risk of downed trees, flooding and other hazards.

All coastal waters in North Carolina will temporarily close to shellfish harvest at sunrise Thursday

State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in all coastal waters of North Carolina following Hurricane Florence.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is asking fishermen to keep a close eye on the progress of Hurricane Florence and to start getting ready for the storm now.

The N.C. Oil and Gas Commission meeting planned for Thursday has been cancelled due to expected impacts in the Raleigh area from Hurricane Florence.

The North Carolina Division of Air Quality is accepting proposals to fund clean diesel projects.  More than $694,000 is available for eligible projects through the Mobile Source Diesel Emission Reduction Grant program.  The grants can be used to cover a wide range of projects including repowering non-road construction or agricultural equipment with cleaner burning engines, converting vehicles to run on alternative fuels and repowering a locomotive.