Press Releases

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is currently accepting comments on adoption of rule 15A NCAC 05C, regarding pre-drilling for oil and natural gas exploration activities, through Feb. 14, 2025. The Department will host a public hearing on the proposed rule on January 7, 2025, in Raleigh.

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will meet in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of the Archdale Building in Raleigh Jan. 8-9. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting by computer or phone.

In 2024, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) supported communities recovering from Hurricane Helene, took actions to address PFAS contamination and continued to protect the state’s natural resources for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a signed Brownfields Agreement to the Town of Chapel Hill for the redevelopment of the Town of Chapel Hill Police Property located at 828 Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard.After considering public input submitted during the comment period and public meeting, DEQ’s Division of Waste Management Brownfields Redevelopment Section made changes to the final agreement, including:

As we enter the holiday season, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management is providing guidance to property owners, organizations and towns that plan to accept natural Christmas trees for use in dune restoration. Natural Christmas trees may be used as a substitute for traditional sand fencing but must be free of decorations and should be placed in a manner that meets the state’s rules for sand fencing.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ)is now accepting public comments on a draft Title V air quality permit modification for International Paper – Riegelwood Mill in Columbus County. The modification is expected to significantly reduce emissions of air pollution, particularly volatile organic compounds and sulfur dioxide.Public comments will be accepted until Feb. 3.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is issuing permit modifications to two Duke Energy facilities for the replacement of their coal units with gas turbines, after substantially strengthening the permits based on public feedback.

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission will meet in the Ground Floor Hearing Room of Department of Environmental Quality’s Archdale Building in Raleigh Jan. 8-9. Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting by computer or phone.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has certified two North Carolina Clean Marinas, a designation given to marinas that exceed minimum regulatory requirements. Sloop Point Marina in Pender County received certification in October. Calabash Marina in Brunswick County received certification in November.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded more than $3.6 million in grants to support stream restoration, water-based recreation and water management projects across North Carolina.