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Our Legislative AgendaThis summer, North Carolina lawmakers voted to boost solar power and other forms of renewable energy, protect our state's natural beauty from the mountains to the coast and ensure the Outer Banks and the rest of North Carolina's coast is protected for future generations.With twice as much sun as Germany, the world’s solar leader, North Carolina is perfectly positioned for a dramatic increase in solar power production. Already in the top 10 states in the country for solar power capacity because of the General Assembly’s leadership, North Carolina could get at least 14 percent of its energy from solar power--including solar panels on 700,000 rooftops. Environment North Carolina:
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Wind power is a free, clean, renewable resource that can decrease the state’s dependence on dirty sources of energy, help fulfill the goals of the state’s renewable energy standard, and boost our economy. A recent UNC study found that wind power on just a fraction of the acreage off North Carolina’s shores could meet the entire state’s energy needs. Environment North Carolina:
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Global warming
When it comes to global warming, there’s a lot at stake for North Carolina. The science is clearer every day: To avoid the most dangerous effects of global warming, the United States must make deep cuts in pollution, and soon. Environment North Carolina:
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Open Spaces
North Carolina's forests, farmlands and other critical open spaces are disappearing at the rate of 300 acres a day. In 2000, state leaders set a goal of preserving an additional one million acres of our natural areas by 2010, but is only two-thirds of the way there. Environment North Carolina:
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Healthy beachesNorth Carolina’s beaches are the envy of the nation. That’s in part because our state has a history of limiting structures like jetties and seawalls on the coast, which protects the ecosystem and prevents unnatural erosion. Until last year, the state’s shores were also protected by a federal moratorium on offshore drilling. Environment North Carolina:
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Clean Water
Drawing more than 750,000 visitors each year for boating, fishing, and swimming, Falls Lake is the primary drinking water source for Wake County. In 2005, the General Assembly directed the Environmental Management Commission to develop a plan to restore and protect Falls Lake for the future. Modeled after the compromise language lawmakers passed last year to protect Jordan Lake, the Falls Lake rules will cut pollution by as much as 70 percent. Environment North Carolina supports these rules and the rulemaking process taking place this summer. RESULT:
Conserving our water resources
In 2008, North Carolina escaped relatively unscathed from one of the most devastating droughts in history. But with more drought predicted for the future and with North Carolina expected to grow by close to three million people over the next 20 years, we cannot afford to continue wasting water. At the same time, we have no permit system to regulate water withdrawals and consumption. Environment North Carolina:
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Clean Air
Coal- fired power plants and other industrial boilers release toxic chemicals into the air such as mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, which threaten public health. In 2009, the Environmental Management Commission closed a 20-year-old loophole that exempted boilers from comply with the state’s air toxic rules. The Commission’s rules cover only new boilers. Environment North Carolina:
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