New Teabag/ALEC/Koch-written regulatory overhaul bill in NC eases regs against polluters

[Triana]

...and makes it more difficult to report violations:

The Southern Environmental Law Center, for one, has several concerns, including provisions that ease regulation of stand-alone wetlands, limit the effectiveness of citizens who file legal challenges to air-quality permits, and allow would-be polluters who report environmental threats to the state to avoid civil penalties.

The bill’s sponsors cite those concerns as among its accomplishments: characterizing the wetlands provision as providing uniformity, saying the air-quality section will stop “frivolous legal roadblocks” and that other sections provide new protections for consumers and the environment.

Since taking control of the legislature in 2011, Republicans have made overhauling regulations a particular focus, saying red tape has stifled businesses. Last year, Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law a sweeping bill that reduced environmental regulations, superseded some city ordinances and put all rules under review.

THE REST:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/05/20/3875306/new-regulatory-overhaul-bill-covers.html?sp=/99/102/105/135/#storylink=cpy

[Triana]

1. This one is of particular concern to me:

Environmental Management Commission: This appointed commission would take rulemaking authority for solid waste, hazardous waste, wastewater and drinking water away from the Commission for Public Health. The 13-member commission is composed of four members named by the N.C. Medical Society and nine appointed by the governor. Sen. Angela Bryant, a Democrat from Rocky Mount, expressed concern for the loss of public health expertise, but a sponsor said it would be more efficient for “consumers.”

This DOES NOT sound good. Durham has a great solid waste, hazardous waste, and recycling program. My guess is that McCrony's ALEC/Koch friends would destroy that.

[G_j]

2. more efficient for “consumers”?

excuse me while I bang my head on a wall!

[Triana]

4. Exactly.

What a crock of shit.

[PumpkinAle]

3. But what do the Wetlands do for the Repukes and their overlords?

Oh yes, you can say that these wetlands provide a habitat for a wide range of local and migrating species and serve as a natural water filter to absorb toxins and nutrients.

But come on you are stopping our oligarchs from getting their way and that is just not right. (Sarcasm + )