Congressman Rouzer released a statement applauding a federal court’s ruling today that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule change to the definition of “Waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act cannot be enforced nationwide.

$1.8 million in grants will go to projects intended to protect waterways, preserve wildlife, improve water quality, and help farmers with conservation and environmental management efforts, Attorney General Roy Cooper announced toda

An overnight visit earlier this week to a top tourism destination in the U.S. that also has a progressive economic development program is invigorating local officials to work toward a regional approach in bringing economic prosperity to southeast North Carolina. More than two dozen elected and business leaders spent Monday and Tuesday learning best practices in industrial recruitment, tourism, development, and how to collaborate with local government and economic development agencies to ensure a quality of place.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced a settlement with Duke Energy Corporation (Duke) to resolve Clean Air Act violations at five coal-fired power plants across North Carolina. The settlement resolves long-standing claims that Duke violated the federal Clean Air Act by unlawfully modifying 13 coal-fired electricity generating units located at the Allen, Buck, Cliffside, Dan River, and Riverbend plants, without obtaining air permits and installing and operating the required air pollution control technologies

The Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a settlement with Duke Energy Corporation to resolve Clean Air Act violations at five coal-fired power plants across North Carolina. The settlement resolves long-standing claims that Duke violated the federal Clean Air Act by unlawfully modifying 13 coal-fired electricity generating units located at the Allen, Buck, Cliffside, Dan River and Riverbend plants

But in North Carolina, almost 6 percent of the state’s labor force – more than 279,000 – won’t be celebrating. Instead, they face a continuing struggle to find work and keep their homes out of foreclosure. For these displaced workers, the North Carolina Foreclosure Prevention Fund offers hope.

Two local home repair companies have been ordered to pay more than $700,000 in refunds and penalties after misleading dozens of consumers, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today. “These North Carolina consumers deserve to get their money back,” Cooper said. “Don’t do business with anyone who shows up at your home and asks you to pay upfront for roofing, paving or other repairs.”

Governor Pat McCrory along with Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina announced Associated Materials, LLC, a manufacturer of residential building products, will expand its Lenoir County manufacturing operations. The project will create 72 jobs at the company’s facility in Kinston, along with a capital investment of $4.5 million over three years

Maxus Realty Trust, Inc. (“MRTI”), a real estate investment trust with corporate headquarters located in North Kansas City, MO, has completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in Cape Fear Multifamily, LLC (“Cape Fear”). Cape Fear is a single purpose entity that owns the Astoria Apartment Homes (“Astoria”). Astoria is an apartment community located in Hope Mills, North Carolina that was built in 2011 and includes approximately 299,000 square feet spread over 272 apartment units.

New Hanover County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution at their regularly scheduled meeting held on Monday, August 17, 2015, declaring certain personal property surplus and authorization for the property to be sold by electronic public auction. The County will be using GovDeals, an on-line auction service provider, for the disposal of this property

Monthly Workshop to Help Landlords Effectively Manage Properties and Halt Illegal Activity; Pre-Registration Deadline August 17. City of Durham Neighborhood Improvement Services Department, Durham Police Department, Solid Waste Management Department, Public Works Department Stormwater & GIS Services Division, Water Management Department, and the Durham City/County Planning Department.

Although property taxes are due on September 1 each year, they can be paid without interest until January 6, 2016. To further assist and encourage penalty-free payments, all property tax bills will include four payment coupons. The coupons will reflect the total amount owed, divided into four equal payments. The coupons indicate a monthly due date September through December

New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District Board has called a special meeting to host a public presentation by UNCW Research Professor Dr. Mike Mallin. Dr. Mallin will present on local sources and effects of stormwater run-off pollution, water quality impacts, and best management practices aimed at reducing stormwater run-off.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the VA would begin the process to grant presumptive disability status to veterans of service at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina who have certain cancers and conditions known to be associated with long term exposure to the chemicals that contaminated the base water system from 1953-1987. VA is conceding that it will no longer deny benefits to eligible veterans based on VA’s faulty and selective interpretations of science

This week, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) introduced a bill to create a voluntary “Residence Star” program to encourage residential property owners to make energy-saving improvements to their residential housing units. Butterfield’s bill – H.R. 3322 –would direct the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a voluntary program where owners who make qualified energy efficiency improvements to their housing units would receive Residence Star certification.