Energy Report
A digest of regional energy news
North Carolina Issues General Biogas Permit
On July 1, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality issued a general permit for biogas digesters that convert animal waste into methane for energy production, as required by the N.C. 2021 Farm Act.
Biden Administration Proposes Restoration of Mercury Pollution Rules
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed reinstating a legal finding that supports restrictions on the amount of mercury that may be discharged by power plants.
Align RNG Settlement Spotlights Biogas Plant Regulation
After the first settlement of its kind in North Carolina capping limits on emissions from a biogas plant in Sampson County, environmental advocates hope the agreement sets the stage for stricter statewide regulation of the processing of animal waste from concentrated feeding operations into fuel or biogas.
Looming Uncertainty Over Future of Abandoned Mine Land Cleanup
Congress has allowed the Abandoned Mine Lands program to expire, and advocates said nationwide on both state and tribal lands, residents face uncertainty over the future of environmental cleanup and economic recovery on lands once used to mine coal.
NC Energy Bill Gets Criticism for Cost, Climate-Change Effectiveness
Industrial consumers, environmental advocates and residential ratepayers in North Carolina have voiced concerns over a new energy bill critics say was created with outsized input from Duke Energy.
