Environment
June 6, 2014 -
North Carolina has passed a law fast-tracking fracking. Now state leaders are seeking taxpayer dollars to help the industry -- despite the billions it earns in annual profits and its detrimental effects on environmental health.
June 5, 2014 -
The EPA unveiled a rule this week requiring power plants to stop using the Earth's atmosphere as an open sewer for dumping carbon pollution. While the rule doesn't go far enough to halt dangerous global warming, it will reduce health-damaging pollution and save thousands of lives -- but some states vow to fight it.
May 23, 2014 -
After public outcry over a bill to lift North Carolina's fracking moratorium that made unauthorized disclosure of fracking chemical trade secrets a felony offense, the state Senate changed the penalty to a misdemeanor before passing the bill and sending it to the House, where it appears it might face opposition for other reasons.
May 22, 2014 -
As scientists issue fresh warnings about the threat of dramatic sea-level rise over the coming centuries due to climate change, North Carolina officials in charge of ensuring the coastal state is planning adequately want to limit their forecasts to 30 years to satisfy the demands of pro-development interests.
May 21, 2014 -
A new study finds that people of color, the elderly and children are dying in disproportionate numbers due to poor social policies -- and that by far the most deadly region for pedestrians is the South.
May 19, 2014 -
Legislation to open the state to oil and gas drilling would impose prison time for unauthorized individuals to disclose chemicals in fracking fluids that the industry wants kept secret. At the same time, it fails to address some of fracking's most serious environmental and public health risks.
May 14, 2014 -
A new study shows how the United States could democratize systems, create jobs, and radically reduce emissions by 2050.