An annual report out this week shows air quality in North Carolina and other southeastern states is continuing to improve. Federal and state laws have made the difference, but there’s concern lawmakers may try to weaken those rules. The 18th annual State of the Air report from the American Lung Association shows ozone and particle … More Report says laws have helped improve region’s air
There was a strange sight in Davidson a few weeks ago – workers in white suits mowing lawns. It’s part of a $3 million asbestos cleanup by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at about 20 homes and other properties around an old mill. The asbestos came from the old Carolina Asbestos factory, which operated nearby from … More Mowing lawns in white suits, as Davidson asbestos cleanup gets underway |WFAE
N.C. Division of Public Health announcement The Health Assessment, Consultation and Education Program within the N.C. Division of Public Health will hold a community meeting to provide asbestos-related health education Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, from 4-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Davidson United Presbyterian Church, 116 Depot St., Davidson.
An update on that Davidson asbestos site I’ve been following for WFAE: Contractors have finished installing a plastic liner, fresh earth and a fiber mat over an asbestos site at the Metrolina Warehouse at 301 Depot St. Last fall, runoff was discovered flowing from a slope behind the old mill, off Sloan Street in Davidson.
I’ve been spending time in recent weeks talking to people about the Metrolina Warehouse in Davidson, which lies between downtown and the West Side. A new redevelopment plan – a four-story building with 183 apartments – is farther along than any in the 24 years since I’ve lived in Davidson. But there’s still the problem … More Davidson mill redevelopment unearths asbestos, old tensions | WFAE
Luna was spectacular this evening, wasn’t she? A full moon on the first day of summer. (David Boraks photo) … More Photo: Solstice Moon
Early environmentalists had some clout. A century ago, state lawmakers designated Mount Mitchell as North Carolina’s first state park. That came after citizens and officials grew worried about increased logging near the peak. Since then, the state park system has grown to 75 protected parks, lakes, beaches, and other natural areas. In my latest feature … More Mt. Mitchell was just the start for NC parks, now 100 years old | WFAE
Environmentalists are disappointed over the Supreme Court’s decision Tuesday to put the EPA’s Clean Power Plan on hold. But they say it won’t slow progress toward eliminating coal from the power supply. Here’s my report on WFAE. Feb. 10, 2016, WFAE.org, “Clean Power Plan On Hold, But Environmentalists Optimistic“
Two years ago, 39,000 tons of coal ash spilled near Duke Energy’s Dan River plant in Eden, North Carolina. That prompted new state rules and forced Duke to speed coal ash cleanups there and at other old coal plants, including Riverbend near Charlotte. Some environmentalists support Duke’s approach, while others are fighting it. I’ve been visiting … More Coal Ash Is Moving, But Landfill Neighbors Fight Back | WFAE
For those interested in open space preservation, here’s a story I produced this week on WFAE: Congress last week approved a bill that makes tax incentives permanent for agreements that conserve land and preserve open space. Lands conservancies are calling it the most important legislation in decades for their movement. Since 2006, landowners have been … More Land Trusts Say Permanent Tax Incentives Will Spur Conservation | WFAE
David Boraks 