North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Richmond County residents are protesting planned data center developments by Amazon and Digital Realty due to concerns over noise and air pollution from diesel generators. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is considering permits for the projects, which include 588 backup generators for Amazon and 57 temporary generators from Duke Energy. Local residents fear industrialization will disrupt their rural lifestyle.

Anson County has lifted its Boil Water Advisory after state testing confirmed the water system is safe. The advisory was lifted for unincorporated areas, while municipalities like Ansonville and Wadesboro will handle their own advisories. Repairs, system flushing, and testing confirmed water met state standards, with over 300 pallets of bottled water distributed during the response.

Western North Carolina communities, including Burnsville, are implementing solar-powered microgrid projects to enhance energy resilience after Hurricane Helene caused widespread power outages. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, in partnership with nonprofits, is funding 26 microgrid projects with $5 million, including stationary and mobile systems to support critical infrastructure.

North Carolina's new budget allocates $22 million for a PFAS study via the UNC-Chapel Hill Collaboratory, which will be classified as a legislative entity with results kept confidential. Critics argue this move bypasses the state's environmental agency and delays accountability for PFAS pollution linked to health risks like cancer.

Environmentalists sued Robeson County over PFAS contamination in drinking water caused by the Robeson County Landfill. The lawsuit claims the landfill's expansion and PFAS pollution endanger 67,000 residents relying on the Rocco Water Treatment Plant, which has the highest PFAS levels in North Carolina.

North Carolina is suing Brenntag Mid-South for discharging toxic chemicals into a creek near Burton Park, a public park in a predominantly Black neighborhood, which flows into a major drinking water supply. The state alleges violations of water quality laws and demands a cleanup plan within 30 days.