Welcome to Environment Blogs

Environmental issues have become an important component of North Carolina's public policy debates. Much of what is dominating discussions relate to issues of air quality and the origins of much of this can be traced to passage of the state’s Clean Smokestacks Bill (CSB) in 2002. This legislation, which mandated dramatic reductions in Nitrogen Oxide and sulfur dioxide from coal fired power plants at an estimated cost of $2 billion, was passed with no cost benefit analysis and no analysis of the actual health effects that the reductions in these emissions would bring about.

The passage of the CSB set the stage for possible future regulations of CO2, allegedly to reduce the chances of future global warming. Consequently, the state has established two study groups, one under the auspices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and one which was established by the legislature. Unfortunately it appears that the recommendation being proposed by these bodies will also lack any rigorous scientific or economic justification. It is unconscionable that the legislature would pass costly legislation or that DENR would implement equally costly regulations without first conducting serious research in the science and economic consequences of its decisions. And yet, this is exactly what has been happening.

The purpose of Environment Blogs is to shine a spotlight on environmental policy in the state of North Carolina. As economists, scientists, and policy analysts we want to emphasize sound science and responsible stewardship in pursuit of environmental policies that are consistent with individual freedom and economic prosperity. We hope that the posts on this blog will be both informative and entertaining. We also hope that the links to resources provided on this website might serve as a one-stop resource bank for people who are both professionally and casually interested in researching topics in environmental science and economics.