Governor McCrory gives North Carolina’s environment another lump of coal this holiday season. This week inCIB.

Executive Watch: McCrory Names New DENR Secretary

Gov. Pat McCrory last week named Don van der Vaart as the new Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), replacing the outgoing John Skvarla. Van der Vaart is currently a deputy secretary of DENR and its energy policy advisor.

A chemical engineer by training and experience, van der Vaart worked for years in DENR’s air quality section. He also has a law degree, and his professional history includes working for the petroleum company Shell and for Carolina Power & Light (now a part of Duke Energy).

Unfortunately in the eyes of environmental quality advocates, his background does not appear to have oriented him toward supporting strong environmental protections. Van der Vaart last year told Congress that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not have the authority to adopt its proposed rule limiting carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, and that it would be a waste of resources for the state to develop the required control plan.

Earlier this year, he acted as a DENR spokesperson in connection with its controversial closed-door meeting on off-shore drilling between state and federal regulators and presenters associated with the oil and gas industry. Van der Vaart signed a letter to environmental groups in response to their complaint that the meeting excluded the public and environmental protection advocates. His letter made the subsequently questioned claim that the closed nature of the meeting was in response to federal officials’ concerns and the need to exclude representatives of “special interest groups and industry.” In fact, the meeting’s presenters came from industry-funded “think tank” entities, and no federal official could be identified as having made a closed-meeting request. The “closed” nature of the meeting effectively served only to exclude from the briefings any counter-points to the oil & gas industry-supported viewpoints.

The appointment was not greeted with cheer by conservation advocates. “At a minimum, van der Vaart can be expected to closely follow the approach of outgoing Sec. Skvarla,” said Molly Diggins of the NC Chapter of the Sierra Club. She called it a “missed opportunity by the Governor to restore public confidence in credibility of the agency after the battering DENR’s reputation has taken the last two years.”

Speaking privately, one state environmental leader was even blunter, characterizing van der Vaart as “known for his support for dirty energy and anti-regulatory views.”

Assuming these dark views of Dr. van der Vaart’s policy orientation are accurate, the appointment represents a disturbing look into the thinking of Gov. McCrory going into the second half of his term. Unchastened by broad criticism of his administration’s lax approach to pollution control, the governor appears determined to continue his regulatory philosophy that industries are the only “customers” who count. It’s indeed a lump of coal in the holiday stocking of North Carolina citizens.

Education & Resources: Report Describes Fracking-related Air Pollution Hazards

According to a report on recent research, compiled by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), air pollution from fracking represents a serious health hazard.

The report released by the NRDC notes that studies show residents near oil and gas wells are exposed to air pollution from toxics such as benzene and formaldehyde, and that health risks include respiratory problems, birth defects, blood disorders, cancer, and nervous system impacts.

According to NRDC, its report “Fracking Fumes: Air Pollution from Hydraulic Fracturing Threatens Public Health and Communities” provides a comprehensive review of the scientific study available to date on this topic. It “identifies an emerging pattern in the science revealing unsafe levels of air pollution near fracking sites around the country.” It says that threats come through direct exposure to hazardous chemicals, contributions to the formation of ground-level ozone and smog, and massive emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.

NRDC’s news release and a link to the full report can be found here.

Conservationists: Support Advocacy that Works

Don’t forget: NCLCV Executive Director Carrie Clark extends a special invitation to NCLCV members and supporters to give one final gift to the environment in 2014. As the organization gears up for the 2015 legislative agenda, the plate – once again – appears full for the environment. From offshore drilling talks to legislative review of the proposed fracking rules, we will need to stand on the ready to defend North Carolina’s air, water, and land from poor environmental decisions. Please consider making a contribution to NCLCV before the year ends!

That’s our report for this week.