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Articles by Derb Carter
There’s an affordable way to cut greenhouse gas emissions. NC shouldn’t ignore it.
Scientists are telling us we have until 2030 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other sources by 70% below peak levels in 2005 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. North Carolina, long reliant on fossil fuels to produce electricity, must play an important part by rapidly transforming electric power production to clean sources of energy such as wind and solar.
There’s an affordable way to cut greenhouse gas emissions. NC shouldn’t ignore it.
Scientists are telling us we have until 2030 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other sources by 70% below peak levels in 2005 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. North Carolina, long reliant on fossil fuels to produce electricity, must play an important part by rapidly transforming electric power production to clean sources of energy such as wind and solar.
A fork in the road for responsible NC hog farming Original
In Missouri, Smithfield now touts its “next generation technology” to manage waste that it agreed to install on all of its hog operations there. News & Observer file photo Last month, a federal appeals court ruled that it was proper for a jury to award monetary damages to neighbors of a Smithfield Foods controlled hog operation in Bladen County. The neighbors complained that the putrid odor and other adverse impacts adversely affected their rights to use and enjoy their property.
A fork in the road for responsible NC hog farming
In Missouri, Smithfield now touts its “next generation technology” to manage waste that it agreed to install on all of its hog operations there. News & Observer file photo Last month, a federal appeals court ruled that it was proper for a jury to award monetary damages to neighbors of a Smithfield Foods controlled hog operation in Bladen County. The neighbors complained that the putrid odor and other adverse impacts adversely affected their rights to use and enjoy their property.
Temporary Rules Needed to Protect Wetlands
A great blue heron in the marsh in Cedar Point in Carteret County. Photo: North Carolina Division of Water Resources This week, the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will consider approving a proposed “temporary” regulation to restore a permitting system to authorize activities in wetlands that federal agencies determine are no longer protected under the federal Clean Water Act. The Department of Environmental Quality has recommended the temporary regulation.
OPINION: Duke Energy doesn’t want you to know truth about Sutton Lake
By Derb Carter For StarNews Media Thursday Jun 13, 2019 at 7:00 AM Duke University scientists recently released a study showing that Duke Energy has for years polluted Wilmington’s Sutton Lake with coal ash. Responding to its latest coal ash scandal, Duke Energy’s public statements have demeaned Sutton Lake by calling it Duke Energy’s coal ash “wastewater facility” and have claimed that Duke Energy’s coal ash pollution has not hurt the lake or its fish. These claims are not true.
OPINION: Water woes require action, not just research
On Oct. 20, the StarNews published an opinion piece by Duke professor Lee Ferguson touting the North Carolina legislature as “visionary” for funding research on GenX and other PFAS -- toxic chemicals found in the state’s drinking water. But the people of the Lower Cape Fear region, from Fayetteville to Wilmington, need action.
OPINION: GOP's budget fails on GenX actions
After nearly a year, the General Assembly revealed its “plan” to address GenX pollution. Once again, it failed our families and communities in addressing GenX pollution. Legislators put their long-awaited GenX bill into the state budget and barred any changes or improvements. They then forced the budget through without any meaningful, substantive debate on such an important issue. It was "take it or leave it" on an up or down vote.
Derb Carter: Bill would protect the polluters, not the people
As reported by this newspaper in July, scientists found relatively high levels of a harmful chemical, perfluorinated compound PFOS, in drinking water delivered to people’s homes from Greensboro’s Mitchell Water Treatment Plant. The finding has some disturbing similarities to what has been happening in Wilmington and surrounding communities.
Derb Carter: State rollbacks to clean air, water
A recent op-ed column by Donald van der Vaart, secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, claimed credit for fighting the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to protect our clean air and clean water - which is, after all, what Congress and President Nixon established it to do. Notably missing from his piece was any mention of the repeals and rollbacks to North Carolina's protections for clean air and water, instituted by his department and the legislature.
On anniversary of coal ash spill, NC officials flip-flopping on risk assessments
This week marks the second anniversary of Duke Energy’s coal ash contaminated water spilling into the Dan River.
Smoke in the Water
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — NO ONE is exactly sure when Duke Energy’s coal ash pit adjacent to the Dan River in north-central North Carolina began leaking toxic coal ash into the waterway. What is known is that by the time the leak was discovered, in early February, more than 39,000 tons of coal ash and millions of gallons of contaminated water had spilled into the river near the town of Eden, N.C. — making it the third largest coal ash spill in American history.
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