Press Releases

In response to the recent update by Duke on the wastewater discharge at the Sutton Plant, DEQ Communications Director Megan S. Thorpe offered the following comment:

DEQ has been closely monitoring all coal ash impoundments that could be vulnerable in this record breaking rain event. As soon as it is safe to do so, DEQ will be onsite at the Sutton Steam Plant to conduct a thorough inspection. Once the damage is assessed, DEQ will determine the best path forward and hold the utility accountable for implementing the solution that ensures the protection of public health and the environment.

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission meeting that was scheduled for Sept. 19-20 in Wilmington has been cancelled due to the potential impacts from Hurricane Florence and the need for state officials to focus on post-storm damage assessments and response.

The sites of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve will close to visitors at noon today until further notice due to the threat of damage from Hurricane Florence, and to protect public safety from the potential risk of downed trees, flooding and other hazards.

All coastal waters in North Carolina will temporarily close to shellfish harvest at sunrise Thursday

State recreational water quality officials are advising the public to avoid swimming in all coastal waters of North Carolina following Hurricane Florence.

The N.C. Oil and Gas Commission meeting planned for Thursday has been cancelled due to expected impacts in the Raleigh area from Hurricane Florence.

The North Carolina Division of Air Quality is accepting proposals to fund clean diesel projects.  More than $694,000 is available for eligible projects through the Mobile Source Diesel Emission Reduction Grant program.  The grants can be used to cover a wide range of projects including repowering non-road construction or agricultural equipment with cleaner burning engines, converting vehicles to run on alternative fuels and repowering a locomotive.  

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality will host a public meeting on Oct. 4 in Greenville to obtain input on the state’s draft swine waste management system general permit (AWG100000), which nearly all North Carolina hog farms are required to comply with. Information shared at the event will include a summary of a technical workgroup session held earlier that day. Community feedback obtained through the meeting will assist environmental regulators in preparing a final draft permit which will be published for public review early next year.  

Officials with the N.C. Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board are asking the public for input on a report that will provide recommendations on a reference dose to be used to establish water quality standards, as well as recommendations on the derivation and calculation of the health goal for GenX. The draft report is the culmination of extensive research and deliberations by the board, which provides guidance to the state departments of Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services as the agencies work to address emerging compounds statewide.