Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes energy and environment regulations in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to report quarterly on applications for permits required for natural gas pipelines and gas-fired electric generation facilities (Part I).

• Increases the punishment for property crimes committed against critical infrastructure, including public water supplies, wastewater treatment facilities, and manufacturing facilities, and amends and updates statutes relating to damage to utilities (Part II).

• Prohibits the acquisition of Quart mining operations and lands containing high-purity quartz by foreign governments designated as adversarial by the United States Department of Commerce (Part III).

• Expands requirements for issuance of 401 certifications by the Department of Environment Quality to projects located at an existing or former electric generating facility (Part IV).

• Prohibits public and sewer systems from imposing unauthorized conditions and implementing preference systems for allocating service to residential development (Part V).

• Establishes a timelimit for review of applications submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality for water distribution systems to construct or alter a public water system (Part XIII).

• Amends statutes and rules applicable to dock, pier, and walkway replacements in the coastal area (Part XIV).

• Exempts certain food service establishments from septage management firm permitting requirements (Part XVI).

• Authorizes replacement of certain erosion control structures (Part XVII).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Part XIX).

Full Bill Text