Press Releases

Governor Josh Stein proclaimed May 5-9 as Air Quality Awareness Week in North Carolina. The Division of Air Quality is raising awareness of the importance of clean air on our health, environment and economy.

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council classified eight counties in eastern North Carolina as experiencing severe drought, or D2 conditions, in the latest advisory issued Thursday. Another 50 counties in the Piedmont and western North Carolina were classified as experiencing moderate drought, or D1 conditions, while 32 counties were classified as abnormally dry.

A wildfire in Brunswick County has the potential to produce unhealthy air quality in the area this weekend, and residents are urged to take precautions.The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is issuing a Code Red Air Quality Action Day for Brunswick County and a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for New Hanover County.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources will hold a public hearing on June 26 to receive public comment on the codification of the revised definition of “wetlands” within state rules. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting by computer or phone.

The Division of Air Quality has approved a Title V air quality permit for Edwards Wood Products, Inc. – Laurinburg Saw Mill #2 in Scotland County.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries recently established a new state record for Vermilion Snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens).

NCDEQ’s Division of Marine Fisheries is urging those who hold commercial fishing, seafood dealer and for-hire licenses and permits to go ahead and renew those licenses and permits this month.

NCDEQ’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) will conduct a spring training workshop May 6-7 in Swansboro for local permit officers in the central and southern regions of their 20 coastal counties service area.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) State Energy Office has selected seven projects to receive more than $20 million to improve North Carolina’s electric grid. The selected projects will update grid infrastructure to increase load capacity and resilience against severe weather, resulting in a more affordable and reliable electricity supply for North Carolinians.

The North Carolina Oil and Gas Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Raleigh.