Governor Stein Vetoes HB 402, a Threat to clean Air and Water
Governor Josh Stein last week vetoed one of the several pro-polluter bills sent to his desk by the General Assembly, while he considers whether to do the same to others.
The bill vetoed—HB 402, “Limit Rules with Substantial Financial Costs”—is another vehicle for letting polluters continue to jeopardize public health and resources instead of paying to clean up their mess. In his veto message, Gov. Stein said, “This bill would make it harder for the state to keep people’s drinking water clean from PFAS and other dangerous chemicals, their air free from toxic pollutants, and their health care facilities providing high quality care. It would impose red tape, including an unworkable unanimity requirement, that would hamstring the decision-making of agencies, boards, and commissions, making them less effective at protecting people’s health, safety, and welfare.”
Climate Action Under Threat: SB 266 Still Awaits a Decision
Among the bills still awaiting action by the Governor is SB 266, Duke’s Dirty Energy Bill, which would eliminate a key North Carolina climate action goal while shifting more costs of building dirty energy infrastructure from Duke stockholders to the families and businesses who use electricity. Environmental and social justice groups have urged a veto.
Meanwhile, both the state House and Senate adjourned for their usual July 4th break with no budget (full or “mini”), and not even an agreed-upon schedule of when to come back to consider the budget or other business. Once again, intraparty feuding between the Republican leaders of the two chambers left North Carolina without a financial plan as the new fiscal year gets underway.
