environment – Page 2 – David Boraks

A train enters the Riverbend Steam Station site to pick up coal ash. (David Boraks/WFAE)

Coal Ash Is Moving, But Landfill Neighbors Fight Back | WFAE

February 10, 2016

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

Land in the Ramah Creek Conservation Area north of Charlotte has been preserved. (Catawba Lands Conservancy photo)

Land Trusts Say Permanent Tax Incentives Will Spur Conservation | WFAE

December 23, 2015

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

NPR's Ira Flatow (left) and NASA water scientist Jay Famiglietti talked during Tuesday's discussion of "Our Water: An Uncertain Future." Famiglietti said red and yellow areas on the map are areas where water overuse is most critical. (David Boraks/WFAE)

NASA Expert Says Water Overuse Is Unsustainable | WFAE

December 2, 2015

On Tuesday night, I covered a discussion titled “Our Water: An Uncertain Future,” at the Booth Playhouse at the Blumenthal, for WFAE. NPR “Science Friday” host Ira Flatow and NASA water scientist Jay Famiglietti were featured on a panel that included local experts. My lead: “Water use around the nation and in the Southeast is unsustainable, … More NASA Expert Says Water Overuse Is Unsustainable | WFAE

Coal ash is stored around 14 Duke Energy plants in North Carolina, including the Marshall Steam Station on Lake Norman. (David Boraks photo)

Coal Ash Update | WFAE Charlotte Talks

October 20, 2015

The February 2014 spill of coal ash from a pond at Duke Energy’s Dan River plant in Eden brought attention to a festering problem: the tons of coal ash being stored around the state. The spill opened eyes about how vulnerable these storage ponds can be. Duke is involved in a cleanup, fines have been … More Coal Ash Update | WFAE Charlotte Talks

Moon over Davidson

August 28, 2015

At the other end of the day from this morning’s sunrise photo shoot. After a great evening on the porch with some good French and Napa reds, we caught a glimpse of the moon over Davidson. Quite a sight!