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After Yet Another Gulf Rig Explosion President Obama Should Permanently Ban New Drilling	2010-09-02
This morning, around 10:30 Eastern, another rig exploded into in the Gulf of Mexico. According to Coast Guard reports, the accident took place 80 miles off the coast of Louisiana on the Vermilion rig 380, which is owned by Houston-based Mariner Energy. Thirteen workers were on the rig at the time and all are reported to be safe.
Governor Signs Bill to Protect North Carolina's Coast	2010-08-04
In the wake of the Gulf spill, Gov. Bev Perdue signed a bill this week that will make it harder for oil companies like BP to obtain leases to drill off the Outer Banks. If oil companies clear the new hurdles in the law—such as proving they could contain or prevent an oil spill before it harmed the North Carolina coast—they would be fully liable for any damage if an accident did occur.
NC House Votes to Hold Oil Companies Accountable and Protect North Carolina's Coast	2010-06-23
Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives voted to approve S 836, a bill that would strengthen the state’s coastal management laws and ensure that oil companies like BP are fully liable for any damage oil spills cause North Carolina’s coast.
Environment North Carolina Thanks President Obama for Canceling Drilling in Virginia; Calls for Ban on Drilling off NC coast	2010-05-27
In a press conference this afternoon, President Obama cancelled a pending lease sale off Virginia near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, suspended drilling plans in the Arctic, and continued the temporary suspension of deepwater drilling in the Gulf.
Environment North Carolina Opposes Drilling at Wilmington Hearing	2010-04-29
Wilmington-- As oil from an exploded rig and runaway well continues to spill into the Gulf of Mexico, the Obama Administration held a hearing today on whether to open North Carolina’s sensitive coast to oil and gas exploration.
Tragic Accident on Offshore Rig Highlights Dangers of Drilling	2010-04-23
Three days ago in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the world’s most technologically advanced oil drilling rigs exploded into a firestorm.
Environment North Carolina Outraged at Offshore Drilling Announcement	2010-03-31
Today, the Obama Administration unveiled a proposal to open vast expanses of the Atlantic coastline, Gulf of Mexico, and the Northern coast of Alaska to new offshore drilling.
NC Falls Short of Goal to Protect Million Acres of Open Spaces	2010-01-14
Raleigh--In ten years, North Carolina has permanently protected more than 640,000 acres of parks, forests, farmlands, and such critical areas as Grandfather Mountain, Chimney Rock, and the banks of the Haw River. Yet, according to a new Environment North Carolina study, the state fell well short of a goal set by legislators and former Gov. Jim Hunt to reach the million-acre mark by December 31, 2009.
North Carolina threatened by Offshore Drilling: Damages to our oceans, beaches and industry	2009-11-12
North Carolina’s coast has wonderful beaches, parks, marshes, remarkable underwater ecosystems and amazing wildlife, all of which would be threatened by more offshore oil drilling, currently under debate in Washington DC.
Environment North Carolina Points the Way For Preserving Open Space	2008-09-24
As states face tight budgets in the economic downturn, a new report released by Environment North Carolina today draws on the experience of 15 states in securing reliable funding for open space programs. Among its key recommendations, Preserving America's Natural Heritage embraces bringing preservation measures directly to the voters, as is happening this fall in Minnesota, Ohio, Colorado, Georgia, and Florida.
Drilling off our coast won’t lower gas prices and would harm NC’s beaches	2008-06-18
President Bush and others are calling on Congress to open up our shores to drilling for oil and natural gas. But opening up North Carolina’s coast to drilling will do nothing to lower gas prices, and will only damage our Outer Banks and our other beaches.
Lawmakers Increase Funding for Protection of Forests, Farmland	2007-07-30
Raleigh—Lawmakers approved a $128 million increase in funding for the preservation of farmland, parks, and natural areas in the final budget sent today to Gov. Easley’s desk. Environment North Carolina applauded House and Senate lawmakers for the move, a critical first step towards the $200 million needed yearly for land and water conservation across the state.
Report: Another two million acres of NC open spaces gone by 2027	2007-04-25
Raleigh—If current development rates continue, North Carolina will lose at least two million acres more of forests and farmlands over the next twenty years, according to a new Environment North Carolina report. Environment North Carolina, lawmakers, and Land for Tomorrow urged the General Assembly Wednesday to approve bills H 990 and S 1522 to help stem the projected loss of open spaces in the state.
Gov. Easley Proposes Increased Funding for Saving Farmland, Parks	2007-02-23
Gov. Easley has proposed a $106 million increase in funding for the preservation of farmland, parks, and natural areas, according to his 2008 budget recommendations released yesterday. Environment North Carolina applauded the move, a critical step toward the $200 million needed yearly for land and water conservation across the state.
Environment North Carolina applauds leaders for protecting Chimney Rock	2007-01-30
Environment North Carolina applauded Gov. Easley, Sen. Walter Dalton, and other state leaders for their recent agreement to purchase and permanently protect Chimney Rock Park, the 1000-acre centerpiece of Hickory Nut Gorge in Rutherford County.
Court Gives ExxonMobil Early Christmas Gift	2006-12-22
ExxonMobil received an early Christmas present Friday when a federal appeals court reduced a $5 billion fine for punitive damages relating to the company’s role in the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
House Moves to Open America’s Shores to Drilling	2006-12-08
The U.S. House voted today to expand offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, setting a dangerous precedent for North Carolina's shores and the rest of the East Coast.
Key National Forest Protections Reinstated	2006-09-20
Raleigh--Judge Elizabeth Laporte of the Northern District of California today overturned the Bush administration’s repeal of protections for nearly 60 million acres of pristine national forest lands, including 170,000 acres North Carolina.
Gov. Easley Applauded for Acting to Protect North Carolina’s Wild Forests	2006-03-09
Environment North Carolina applauded Gov. Easley for filing a petition today with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, seeking immediate, full and lasting protection for more than 170,000 acres of unspoiled forest land in the Pisgah, Nantahala, and Croatan National Forests.
Our Favorite Local Lake Showing Signs of Pollution	2005-07-12
North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG) has released a new report, "Our Lakes at Risk: The Impact of Growth on North Carolina's Water Quality."
Even in Tight Budget Times, Majority of NC Voters Favor Open Space Protection	2004-06-02
Even in tight budget times, 59 percent of North Carolina voters support funding protections of forests, farmlands, and other open spaces, according to a newly released poll.
New Study: N.C. Loses Open Space At Twice The Rate Of Population Growth	2003-09-25
North Carolina’s forests, farmlands, and open spaces are disappearing at a rapid pace, even in some rural areas of the state, according to a new analysis by the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG).
Over 30,000 Acres, 57 Open Space Projects At Risk	2003-06-18
According to a new report, 57 priority protection areas, including more than 30,000 acres of open space, are at risk to development due to grim prospects for full funding of the state’s natural resource conservation programs.
N.C. House Cuts Open Space Protection Funds	2003-04-16
Environmental groups and land trusts criticized House budget-writers Wednesday for reducing open space preservation funding by 75 percent from what the law requires.
Over 67,000 Acres, 65 Open Space Projects At Risk	2002-06-19
According to a new report, 65 priority protection areas, including more than 67,000 acres of open space, are at risk to development after severe cuts in the state's natural resource conservation programs.
Durham, Orange, Chatham Get High Marks for Recycling	2002-04-17
Four Triangle counties received either A+'s or B+'s for their efforts at waste reduction last year, according to Recycling Solutions, a rating of all North Carolina county recycling programs released today by the North Carolina Public Interest Research Group (NCPIRG).

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State Director Elizabeth Ouzts