Legislative Watch: NCLCV Calls for Veto of HB 56

Last week, NCLCV called on Gov. Roy Cooper to veto HB 56, “Amend Environmental Laws,” which includes anti-environmental items such as repeal of the popular Outer Banks plastic bag ban which protects sea turtles and other marine life.

NCLCV’s Director of Governmental Relations Dan Crawford points out that the late-added, meager appropriations to two local entities for GenX-related work provide no good reason to sign this bad bill.

“Like we’ve seen play out numerous times before, North Carolina legislators seized upon a political moment to push forward a policy that does too little, too late for the thousands of North Carolinians who depend on clean water in the Cape Fear River,” said Crawford. “House Bill 56 fails to allocate the necessary resources to the state agency responsible for enforcing pollution rules, which are far fewer thanks to these same legislative leaders playing ‘whack-a-mole’ with longstanding water quality safeguards.”

Meanwhile, more information has been brought to light on why the legislature is trying to bypass the Cooper Administration’s DEQ in responding to the GenX problem. Environmental reporter Lisa Sorg follows the money connections among legislators and parties that stand to benefit from provisions in HB 56.

The Governor has until September 30 to act on HB 56.

Next: another opportunity to ensure all Americans have access to clean water >>