Even when progressive environmental policies are passed, government agencies must be watched closely to ensure policies are equitably and consistently enforced. Our air, water, and land quality is only as good as the permits and the people that monitor them. Too often, corporations are allowed to pollute our state through flexible environmental permitting conditions, lack of public awareness on a project, or illegal land use.
Natural and climate-fueled disasters are also prevalent in our state, hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts have damaged our communities from the mountains to the coast. Most recently, Hurricane Helene devastated our mountain towns and left many without jobs, homes, and opportunities.
We closely monitor the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) environmental programs, including the Division of Air Quality and the Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources, to ensure progressive environmental policies are effectively implemented. Additionally, we advance environmental justice in NCDEQ through creative, practical solutions.
We provide information and resources to impacted communities to connect them with state and local resources to promote recovery and resiliency from extreme weather. We also advocate for changes to those resources when their design is not responsive or inclusive to the issues our communities face.
We work in close collaboration with labor unions and environmental justice organizations to ensure mining operations that come to our state are providing tangible financial benefits to impacted communities. We advocate for products mined in state to stay in state, especially for critical minerals like lithium and tin. We believe North Carolinians do not need every new extraction project that comes our way, but acting to hold corporations accountable for environmental contamination will strengthen both our environment and our state’s economy.
We have worked with Renew NC, FEMA, and other disaster relief organizations to tailor Helene assistance programs to Appalachian communities. In conjunction with PowerUp NC, we’ve given over 400 families in Helene-impacted areas DIY weatherization kits to improve their home energy efficiency and lower their power bills.
NCLCV has participated in the NC Mining Commission’s Stakeholder Advisory Panel to review and approve rule changes for general mining permits. We successfully advocated for changes in public hearing processes and public education that will protect communities’ rights to speak in favor or in opposition to a proposed mine.
We are able to hold government agencies and polluting corporations accountable thanks to our generous members and partners. Partner with us today to help us deliver more environmental wins for families and communities across our state.
Help us fight for fair maps, free elections, clean air, clean water, and clean energy for every North Carolinian!
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