Legislative Watch: DEQ Tour Opens Legislators’ Eyes

Last week, state Environmental Quality Secretary Regan opened some legislators’ eyes to his department’s need for more resources to do their critical jobs.

Following a meeting last week of the NC House Select Committee on River Quality, NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Michael Regan helped give several of the legislators a tour of a nearby DEQ facility. There they received direct explanations from staff, and saw for themselves the backlog of work and equipment needs.

More than one legislator commented on the strong impression the tour made. In discussion with Regan, one legislator remarked that some North Carolina high schools have better equipment than state budgets have permitted DEQ to acquire. Rep. Ted Davis (R-New Hanover) noted that the tour (which included several labs) reinforced his impression that DEQ needs better resources. “You can talk about things like we’ve been doing in committee, but (when) you go actually see it in action, it gives you a whole different perspective,” Davis said.

If only we could get more of the NC Senate leadership to recognize the same realities, there might be a better chance for some progress in that regard this year.

On a related note, environmental reporter Lisa Sorg takes a closer look at some of the growing issues in need of attention in connection with GenX.

Up next, landowners continue to fight the Atlantic Coast Pipeline >>