North Carolina’s Attorney General Roy Cooper says he will appeal state regulators’ decision to allow energy companies to profit from corporate tax cuts without passing those savings on to consumers. State Utilities Commissioners voted 6 to 1 in May to force companies to pass along any tax breaks. But the panel reversed itself in October after three commissioners appointed by Republican Governor Pat McCrory reversed their earlier votes.
Cooper calls the decision “arbitrary, capricious, and based on an erroneous interpretation of the law.” Cooper, a Democrat, is considered a challenger to McCrory in the 2016 governor’s race.
Panthers QB Newton Will Sit Out Sunday
Cam Newton will sit out Sunday as the Carolina Panthers take on Tampa Bay. The team announced this afternoon backup quarterback Derek Anderson will start. Newton was released from the hospital today with two fractures in his lower back from a car accident uptown yesterday, the team says.
Anderson says he’s not thinking about the extra playoff pressure ahead of the matchup. Anderson started in the Panthers’ season opener, also against Tampa Bay.
Charlotte Mecklenburg police have released the accident report from a collision yesterday involving Newton. The report says another car hit Newton’s truck on South Church street in uptown. The driver of that car told police he didn’t see Newton’s truck when he pulled into the intersection. Police say neither driver was speeding.
Shellfish Restoration Conference In Charleston
The international Conference on Shellfish Restoration opens today in Charleston. The meeting will focus on restoring coastal areas and protecting water quality to better support shellfish as well as maintaining and enhancing existing shellfish populations.
Environmental Review Commission Getting Update On Clean Up OF Coal Ash Ponds
North Carolina lawmakers are getting an update today on efforts to manage and clean up coal ash ponds in the state. The state’s Environmental Review Commission is hearing from a Duke Energy executive and the chairman of the state Coal Ash Management Commission along with other state regulators. The legislature has ordered Duke to remove or cap its 33 coal ash dumps in North Carolina by 20-29.
USC Loses Kappa Sigma Charter
Kappa Sigma fraternity has withdrawn its charter for its chapter at the University of South Carolina. The State newspaper reports an investigation revealed hazing, alcohol abuse, and controlled-substance violations by 81 members. Kappa Sigma’s national office is also looking at thousands of dollars in unapproved spending including $4,000 to pay members’ legal fees. The USC chapter of Kappa Sigma finished a three-year probation in August. The chapter can return in 2019, according to the national office.
SC Supreme Court Says No To Kiawah Bulkhead
The South Carolina Supreme Court today ruled that developers cannot build a half-mile retaining wall and bulkhead on Kiawah Island.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control originally denied a permit for the project, allowing only a smaller bulkhead to protect a county park. Today’s ruling overturns an appeals court ruling against the state DHEC.