Energy & Environment

The federal government’s leading atmospheric research agency published data this week showing 2019 was North Carolina’s hottest year on record.

A new greenway stretches behind the homes and shops of the Antiquity neighborhood in Cornelius. At the trailhead is a large, elevated walkway that slopes down to a paved, half-mile trail. Eileen Hume and her husband, Darin, were taking a morning walk on the trail recently.

“We kind of watched them build this, and this is absolutely beautiful, but I’m not for sure the official name of it. But it is lovely," Hume said.

A company hoping to mine lithium in northern Gaston County has received key state and federal permits for the project and plans to speed up development of a processing plant in Kings Mountain. But it's pushing back the mine's projected opening by a year.

State environmental officials have given Charlotte developers the preliminary go-ahead to redevelop a former asbestos factory in downtown Davidson. But they still need to overcome the concerns of residents in the historically black neighborhood around the mill. 

A new report says North Carolina had the fourth highest budget cuts in the country over the last decade when it comes to environmental protection.

When fall arrived this year, it didn't make its entrance with crispy air and cooling temperatures. In fact, the temperature around here was downright summer-like, with some days 10 degrees higher than the average. Plus, there was very little rain for a while. 

The City of Charlotte has started construction on a new section of greenway. It’s part of a larger plan for a network of greenways called the Cross Charlotte Trail that will go from the South Carolina border to Cabarrus County. The project had a significant funding shortfall earlier this year, but it’s now back on track.

North Carolina has the country’s second-largest collection of poorly maintained dams built in places where a failure could kill people. That’s according to reporting from The Associated Press that looked at the condition of dams across the United States. 

Gov. Roy Cooper says it's time to end legislative battles over wind energy and make sure it's part of a future clean energy system in North Carolina.

A Duke University scientist says new data shows dangerous levels of a cancer-causing heavy metal occur naturally across North Carolina, and can be a concern in drinking water wells.

Cyclists would love to not worry about being hit by vehicles. And drivers would love to not worry about hitting cyclists. Charlotte planners believe a protected bike lane project will make everyone happier and safer on uptown's roads.