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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Wednesday, 22 May 2013 14:47 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — Federal regulators are launching a special inspection of a nuclear power plant outside North Carolina's capital city that was forced to shut down last week.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in a news release Wednesday that two specialists will look into the issue, which was uncovered when plant operators at the Duke Energy-owned plant took a second look at year-old data. They want to know why the tiny sign of corrosion and cracking wasn't found earlier.
Duke Energy spokeswoman Rita Sipe says the country's largest electric company also is examining why the problem wasn't found sooner. The NRC release said repairs have begun.
Charlotte-based Duke Energy took over the plant after it acquired Raleigh-based Progress Energy last year. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 May 2013 15:23 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Monday, 20 May 2013 14:05 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — A former North Carolina lawmaker is set to face a jury over accusations he used a pair of government-funded non-profit corporations as personal piggy banks.
Stephen A. LaRoque is will go on trial Monday on a dozen felony charges. Federal prosecutors allege the Kinston Republican scammed taxpayers to finance a lavish lifestyle that included $2.1 million in salary payments and $300,000 in interest-free personal loans used to buy a house, new cars, an ice-skating rink and a collection of jewel-encrusted Fabergé eggs.
LaRoque's lawyers say he's not guilty because he was legally entitled to the money.
LaRoque was elected to three terms in the N.C. House and served as the powerful co-chairman of the House Rules Committee. He faces a maximum sentence of 96 years in federal prison.
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Last Updated on Monday, 20 May 2013 14:05 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Friday, 17 May 2013 14:28 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — If North Carolina ever puts toll booths on an existing interstate, the House still wants to give motorists the option to drive the route for free.
The chamber voted unanimously Thursday for a measure that targets potential tolling on Interstate 95 but would apply to all current interstates.
The bill says the state can't collect tolls on these interstates unless it maintains the same number of non-toll lanes before the tolling.
Rep. Jeff Collins of Rocky Mount is an I-95 toll critic and bill sponsor. He says the bill envisions toll lanes in which users would pay to drive at a higher speed limit than in non-toll lanes.
The bill now goes to the Senate. The state Department of Transportation is holding public hearings seeking comment upgrades to I-95.
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Last Updated on Friday, 17 May 2013 14:29 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:45 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — A bill abolishing regional economic development commissions has received initial approval from the North Carolina Senate.
The bill tentatively passed the Senate Monday with opposition from rural lawmakers who argued the bill cedes power to Raleigh at the expense of poor regions.
The bill dissolves the seven regional economic development commissions and transfers their functions to the Department of Commerce, which will send at least one employee to work directly in one of eight newly created zones.
Several other departments would also have to send at least one employee.
Republican Sen. Harry Brown of Jacksonville said his bill helps remove an ineffective layer of bureaucracy from business recruitment and force department officials to work outside of Raleigh.
The bill will return for a last vote before heading to the House. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:46 |
