Environmental groups in the state had their lobbying efforts rewarded Thursday after Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed bills affecting the state’s environmental regulations and energy exploration.
The “Regulatory Reform Act” would have barred state environmental agencies from imposing standards more restrictive than federal law, except in cases of a threat to public health or a court order. Environmental advocates say N.C. regulators should have the ability to impose more stringent standards to address issues unique to the state’s environment.
Perdue also vetoed the “Energy Jobs Act,” which would have directed her to enter into a regional compact with nearby states to begin natural gas exploration and extraction offshore. Both offshore drilling and efforts to develop onshore shale gas resources are opposed by environmental groups.
Republican leaders have said they will consider override votes for Perdue’s vetoes when the state legislature reconvenes for a special redistricting session on July 13. Other pieces of legislation that might be targeted for override votes include bills that would require voters to show a form of state-issued photo identification at polling places and women to undergo a counseling session and wait 24 hours before having an abortion performed.
A successful veto override must have the support of three-fifths of both the N.C. House of Representatives and N.C. Senate. The original votes for all four bills were short of a veto-proof majority in at least one chamber.
Republicans were able to override Perdue’s veto of their state budget proposal last month after enlisting the support of five Democrats in the House. The budget goes into effect this month as the fiscal year begins.
The beginning of the fiscal year also marks the onset of a difficult road ahead for UNC-system schools. System administrators will begin to apportion a 14.6 percent cut in state funding or $407 million among the schools, which chancellors have said will result in fewer course sections for students.
