Press Releases

RALEIGH – State environmental officials joined businesses and organizations yesterday at the Grifols facility in Clayton for the first Recycling Roundtable. Twenty-five attendees signed a pledge to work together to identify solutions to create a more resilient recycling system that grows the economy and creates jobs while protecting the environment.

Beginning Dec. 1, North Carolina’s vehicle inspections requirement will exempt vehicles 20 years old from obtaining a yearly emissions test in the 22 counties which emissions testing is required.

The state Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board will meet on Monday, December 2, in Raleigh to discuss hexavalent chromium-6 recommendations and hear presentations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The full agenda can be found online at: https://deq.nc.gov/about/boards-and-commissions/secretaries-science-advisory-board.

The Administrative Law Judge presiding over the Duke Energy appeal of the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) coal ash closure decision issued another ruling in favor of DEQ on Friday.

The Bald Head Woods Reserve on Bald Head Island in Brunswick County reopened to visitors today after closure due to Hurricane Dorian. With the opening of Bald Head Woods, all North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve sites are open after the storm.

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed today America Recycles Day in the state to promote the importance of recycling and recognize the conscientious habits of North Carolinians that improve our quality of life and support a clean, economically vibrant and sustainable environment.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources (DEMLR) is seeking community feedback related to the application for a mining permit for a mining operation located off Crump Farm Road in Craven County.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued notices of violation to the wastewater pre-treatment programs for the cities of Greensboro and Reidsville for recent 1,4 dioxane discharges that violated water quality standards and the conditions of their wastewater permits.

Parents of Gray’s Creek Elementary students were notified this afternoon by Cumberland County School system officials of drinking water testing results at the school from samples taken in late October. Samples results show GenX levels of 6 parts per trillion and total PFAS levels of 53 parts per trillion, including levels of two, individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at 34 parts per trillion and 13 parts per trillion.

State officials will host a public hearing Dec. 19 in Asheville to gather comments on a draft permit to construct and operate an industrial landfill at the Duke Energy Progress Asheville Steam Electric Plant. Public comments will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 10, 2020.