This article originally ran on Facing South, the online magazine of the Institute of Southern Studies. A think tank founded and almost wholly funded by conservative mega-donor and North Carolina Deputy Budget Director Art Pope recently filed a broad Freedom of Information Act request seeking all emails and other records of a University of North […]
Sue Sturgis
Bio: Sue Sturgis is the editorial director and co-editor of Facing South, the online magazine of the Institute of Southern Studies.Twitter: http://twitter.com/sue_sturgis
Posted inElections
Extraordinary security at RNC, DNC
This originally appeared on Facing South, the online magazine of the Institute for Southern Studies Date on which the Democratic National Convention begins in Charlotte: Sept. 3 Amount in federal funds the city will spend on security for the gathering, expected to draw 6,000 delegates and 30,000 visitors: $50 million Number of officers the money […]
Posted inUncategorized
Fracking interests spent heavily to influence N.C. lawmakers
Read the full report, titled “Power Politics: Fracking debate fuels campaign gifts to N.C. lawmakers from energy interests,” at NCVCE’s website. Fracking opponents will urge lawmakers to oppose SB 820 on Frack-Free Lobby Day, Tuesday, June 5, at 10 a.m. The event is sponsored by the N.C. Conservation Network. This story originally appeared on Facing […]
Posted inNews
Pope-backed climate cranks target North Carolina renewable energy law
There’s no longer doubt in the expert scientific community that the earth is warming and that human activity plays a big part in it, but you wouldn’t know that if your information sources were the many articles, papers and reports on the topic published by the John Locke Foundation. The conservative think tank founded and […]
Posted inUncategorized
Coal ash jeopardizes N.C. residents’ health
This story originally appeared on Facing South, the online magazine of the Institute for Southern Studies. Coal ash isn’t just dumped; it’s increasingly being recycled into building materials and other uses. But in states like North Carolina, the failure to adequately regulate one so-called “beneficial use” of the toxic-filled waste is putting communities at risk. […]
Posted inNews
New revelations about Three Mile Island disaster raise doubts over nuclear plant safety
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in Facing South, the online magazine of the Institute for Southern Studies. For links to supporting documents, please see the original story. It was April Fool’s Day, 197930 years ago this monthwhen Randall Thompson first set foot inside the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Middletown, Pa. Just […]
Posted inUncategorized
More hot water for Harris
Just weeks after federal investigators confirmed that armed guards were encouraged to cheat on qualifying tests at Progress Energy’s Shearon Harris nuclear power plant, a local congressman requested a government probe into long-standing fire safety concerns at the Wake County facility and other U.S. reactors. The developments deliver fresh blows to Progress’ reputation, bruised in […]
Posted inUncategorized
Harris fire woes smolder
Two Triangle legislators convened a public meeting last week about the ongoing failure of Progress Energy’s Shearon Harris nuclear power plant to comply with federal fire safety regulations. The gathering at Fearrington Village near Pittsboro came six months after watchdog groups filed an emergency petition with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission asking that the agency […]
Posted inUncategorized
Global warming and the Outer Banks
Anyone who’s been lucky enough to visit North Carolina’s Outer Banks knows what an extraordinary place they are. A delicate necklace of barrier islands adorning the coastline, they provide a resting place for migratory birds, livelihood for fishermen and a getaway for a growing number of beach lovers. But unless North Carolinians take action soon […]
Posted inUncategorized
State regulators blast guard training at nuke plant
A state probe into charges of cheating on certification exams by security staff at Progress Energy’s Shearon Harris nuclear power plant found improper training of the plant’s guards, who are responsible for protecting not only the facility’s reactor but also one of the nation’s largest stockpiles of highly radioactive spent fuel. The findings stoke a […]