The fate of North Carolina’s environment was sealed when Gov. Pat McCrory appointed John Skvarla as secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. While not a legislator, Skvarla will have lawmakers’ ears on regulation, budgeting and departmental priorities. Where science figures in to this is uncertain, judging from his comments about climate […]
Lisa Sorg
Bio: Lisa Sorg is the editor of INDY Week.Email: [email protected]: http://twitter.com/lisasorg
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2013 N.C. Legislature Preview
The Legislature is like high school without the acne. The halls are loud and full of cliques. Preps: Outfitted in power suits and dresses, they congregate and preen, drink diet sodas and pop breath mints. Jocks: Garrulous, they have the broad shoulders and thick waists of someone who sacked many a quarterback in his day. […]
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Some facts from the National Climate Assessment draft report
“Evidence for climate change abounds, from the top of the atmosphere to the depths of the oceans … The sum total of this evidence tells an unambiguous story: The planet is warming.” From the National Climate Assessment draft report, released Jan. 11. A 60-member federal committee oversaw the development of the report, which included more […]
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McCrory’s chief lobbyist, Fred Steen, also an ALEC bigwig
Gov. Pat McCrory picks so many winners he should play the ponies. McCrory named as his chief lobbyist Fred Steen II, a state chairman and board member of ALEC, a rightwing organization funded in part by the Charles Koch Foundation. ALEC, also known as the American Legislative Exchange Council, is composed of at least 300 […]
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Aqua North Carolina found a legal way to raise its rates—at customers’ expense
Document This stipulation shows some details of the Acquisition Incentive Account that was established upon the sale of Heater Utilities to Aqua America. On the third page, under section (6)b, you’ll find the clause explaining that the Utilities Commission, its public staff and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources will identify “nonviable” water […]
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Some facts about the Triangle Expressway
The Triangle Expressway is an 18.8-mile toll road in southeastern Durham and western Wake counties. The first phase runs from N.C. 147 to N.C. 540, near the airport. Tolls have been collected on this portion since Jan. 3, 2012. The second phase runs through Apex. Tolls have been collected there since Aug. 2, 2012. The […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Wilmoore Cafe sold to Ashley Christensen
The Wilmoore Cafe in downtown Raleigh is being sold to chef Ashley Christensen. David Fowle, who co-owns the Wilmoore, confirmed the deal. The eatery will close temporarily on Jan. 18 and remain shuttered until Christensen re-opens it. Fowle said daytime business at the South Wilmington Street restaurant has increased as much as 40 percent each […]
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John Skvarla, new Sec’y of DENR: snake oil salesman?
John Skvarla, the newly anointed Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, has publicly stated that under his watch, regulations—and the relaxation thereof—will be grounded in science and fact. In an illuminating interview with WRAL’s Laura Leslie, Skvarla failed the scientific sniff test. (The portions referenced below begin around 11:21.) First, Skvarla insinuated […]
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Why Aqua NC customers are furious about their service
Documents Clean Water for NC’s report on water privatization in North Carolina Annual reports for Aqua America • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 A list of Aqua NC’s environmental violations A presentation by Aqua America CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis to a water industry investor conference, delivered Dec. 6, 2012 Editor’s note: This is the […]
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Durham County’s railroad crossings
Use the Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Safety Analysis website to view accident reports for railroad crossings in Durham. The City of Durham’s Traffic Separation Study is evaluating safety and operations improvements at 18 railroad crossings. Improvements could include bridges, closings and pedestrian underpasses. Public workshops will be scheduled for February and March. Number of […]
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