Climate Change
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Flash flood warning sirens in Haywood County could save lives in future storms
Deadly flash floods from Tropical Storms Fred and Helene struck parts of Haywood County, NC. New siren system offers early warning.
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NC lawmakers override Josh Stein’s vetoes on climate change, gun laws
With some Democratic support, legislators defied Gov. Josh Stein, weakened state climate change laws and made it legal for private school teachers to take guns to school.
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Before Chantal swamped the NC town of Hillsborough, locals had been counting on FEMA
The Trump administration canceled a FEMA program in April that would have funded upgrades to protect Hillsborough, NC, from flooding. Then the Eno River rose more than 20 feet.
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How Trump’s ‘One, Big Beautiful Bill’ will impact jobs, investment in rural NC
In the mountains of western NC, local renewable energy company Sugar Hollow Solar is already working through contingency plans to avoid laying off staff.
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‘Come hell or high water’: A harm reduction team amps it up in response to a disaster
A community-based organization focused on drug use harm reduction turned its headquarters into a refuge for all seeking help in the face of a hurricane.
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Trump ends program that helped North Carolina communities avoid catastrophic flooding
Mount Pleasant, N.C. was about to receive $4 million to improve its stormwater drainage system from a FEMA program that helps communities protect against natural disasters and climate change. Then the Trump administration eliminated the program, upending a resiliency plan years in the making.
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Trump’s spending freezes could disrupt clean energy boom in NC and increase household heating costs
Among the funding Trump is trying to halt: $160 million in payments to protect the state’s power grid from wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters like Tropical Storm Helene, which has caused billions in damage to western North Carolina.
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Duke Energy asks the EPA to let it release more emissions
Duke Energy recently announced plans to replace several coal-fired power plants with natural gas-fired stations at two North Carolina sites by 2029. Now, it’s joined nine other power companies in asking newly-confirmed EPA administrator Lee Zeldin to weaken environmental regulations regarding natural gas and coal ash.
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Federal clean energy grants help NC small businesses save money and innovate
North Carolina business leaders say that transitioning to or adding cleaner energy alternatives to their businesses helps save money, is good for the environment, and makes the nation more energy resilient. Lillian Mindich always wanted to do more projects on her farm, but the financial costs had always presented obstacles. Mindich runs Kolibri Farm, a…
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New Duke Energy gas plants approved in NC despite environmental concerns
Duke has argued that it must use natural gas during its transition away from coal in order to meet rising demand for energy, but the projects would lead to a significant increase in total greenhouse gas emissions, potentially jeopardizing the company’s legally-mandated duty to reduce carbon emissions.
