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Secretary Michael S. Regan statement on the permitting process Story Date: 8/4/2020
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Source: NCDENR, 8/3/20
Contact: Sharon Martin Date: August 3, 2020 Phone: 919-707-8670 MEMO To: Interested Parties From: Sharon Martin, Deputy Secretary for Public Affairs Date: August 3, 2020 Re: Secretary Michael S. Regan statement on the permitting process
“We must strengthen our state laws and regulations to be more inclusive of communities of color and tribal concerns before a location is chosen and well before a permit application is submitted. This process highlights the allegations of systemic racism that zoning and business-friendly regulations perpetuate against communities of color. An air permit should not be the first time that a community becomes aware of a proposed facility. In addition, our state and federal regulations must be nimble and account for the impacts of COVID-19 on those same communities. COVID-19 continues to highlight the racial inequities at all levels of our society and these are the very issues we need to consider as a state."
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