As the slow recovery from the worst economic times since the Great Depression begins, we cannot make short-sighted decisions that would harm the North Carolina’s natural heritage. State agencies should continue to enforce laws that are working to better our quality of life. North Carolina is consistently ranked as one of the best places to do business in the country; our quality and way of life go into making those rankings strong. 

In Forbes Magazine, NC is ranked the 3rd least expensive place to do business and has the 3rd least burdensome regulatory environment, making us one of the best states to do business in. As decisions are being made about our future, we must consider all the things we have done right in the past. A company will not relocate to North Carolina if the legislature makes poor decisions that give corporations the green light to pollute our state. 

North Carolina has unique natural areas, wildlife, and a way of life that must be protected from any harmful rollbacks. 

OPPOSE weakening current laws and regulations that protect our quality of life and economy. 

More information: Dan Crawford, NC League of Conservation Voters, dan[at]nclcv.org , 919-839-0020

CURRENT LEGISLATION

SB 22-Prohibition on New Rules with Additional Costs. OPPOSE
AN ACT TO LIMIT NEW AGENCY REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS THAT RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL COSTS.

Prohibits any new rule which results in an “additional cost of 500,000 on persons subject to the rule in a 12 month span” unless “required to respond” to some new legislation, federal rule, court order, or “serious and unforseen threat”. Every rule will have some costs associated with it but this legislation does not consider the potential benefits, economic or otherwise, or some environmental rules. Creating regulations that protect the environment does not kill business. In fact, Forbes magazine ranks NC 3rd in regulatory environment. This bill is unnecessary, and short sided.

SB 17 – Establishment of a Joint Regulatory Reform Committee. OPPOSE
A JOINT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE JOINT REGULATORY REFORM COMMITTEE.

This measure will put legislators, not the experts in our state agencies, in charge of making environmental rules. We anticipate a number of our most effective rules to be eliminated as a result of this bill. Without sound environmental rules, based in science not politics, polluters will not be held accountable for their actions and taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill.

SB 48 – Accelerate Clean Up of Industrial Properties OPPOSE
SB 64 – Prohibit Boylston Creek Reclassification OPPOSE
SB 181 – No LUST Cleanup Under Certain Circumstances OPPOSE
SB 232 – Deliniate Coastal Wetlands Riparian Buffers OPPOSE
SB 318 – Repeal Plastic Bag Ban OPPOSE