The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) took significant steps to protect the environment and provide technical support to industry in 2017, including reforming the Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board (SAB).
“We are grateful for Governor Cooper’s support in expanding the board’s scope from air toxins to new and emerging contaminants like GenX,” said DEQ Secretary Michael Regan, who co-leads the SAB with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen. “The deep and diverse knowledge of this board, paired with the technical expertise and dedication of our staff statewide, will help us to better monitor and improve environmental conditions for all North Carolina citizens.”
While state regulators dedicated considerable energy to the impact of GenX in the Cape Fear River, DEQ divisions achieved several other important environmental milestones this year, some of which earned major industry accolades. Among them is the Statewide Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Master Plan, and the combined efforts of the Hazardous Waste and Brownfields programs to clean up and revitalize contaminated sites, enabling them to be safely repurposed for jobs-creating economic development.
DEQ also made strides in expanding its nonregulatory programs, including the Environmental Stewardship Initiative, which celebrates the voluntary commitment of leading manufacturers to operate at a superior level of environmental performance. Additionally, DEQ expanded its mission to inform diverse communities through public meetings and support educators by launching a new science curriculum that aligns with the state’s standard course of study. Highlights include:
Division of Air Quality
Governor Roy Cooper and Secretary Regan introduced “It’s Our Air,” a new air quality curriculum designed for North Carolina high school students, on April 26 to mark Earth Day. The free course provides a series of activities and videos designed to help students gain a better understanding of the science and technology used to explain, monitor, predict and protect air quality. DAQ provided hands-on training to teachers across the state to help them incorporate “It’s Our Air” into lesson plans, with more workshops planned for 2018.
In November, Governor Cooper designated DAQ as the lead agency to manage the state’s $92 million share of the national Volkswagen Settlement. Public input is being received through Dec. 31 on how the state should invest in projects that will significantly reduce pollution from diesel sources. Public meetings will follow in early 2018, with a plan to be finalized and projects chosen later in the year.
Additionally, North Carolina was designated as attaining the strict federal standard for ozone in all 100 counties. The state has steadily reduced unhealthy ozone levels since the early 2000s through partnerships with the regulated industry, local governments and environmental organizations focused on curbing air pollution statewide. This relationship provides clear evidence that a robust economy and healthy environment can thrive at the same time.