Local environmental advocates received welcome news on two fronts over the last week, first with the announcement that a controversial cement plant would not move forward, and most recently upon learning that the federal government wouldn’t allow oil drilling in North Carolina for at least five years. This effectively shuts down the need for seismic testing for gas and oil as well.
Titan America announced on March 10 that it would abandon controversial plans to build a cement processing plant in Castle Hayne, as the company said the economics behind building the plant did not support the high cost of construction.
Then on Tuesday, March 15, the Department of Interior said it would not offer oil leases in the Atlantic through the 2017-2022 period.
“Both were exciting. Both were examples of citizens believing in something strongly and getting involved,” said David Cignotti, former Wrightsville Beach mayor who led an effort to get area businesses to oppose offshore oil drilling. “I was surprised, but I was also really grateful that the president is the type of person that is willing to change his mind.”
Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington, Carolina Beach, and, most recently, Kure Beach town and city governments have all passed resolutions opposing offshore drilling. The county’s Tourism Development Authority also passed a resolution opposing offshore drilling in October 2015, while at least 30 Wrightsville Beach businesses in August 2015 signed a letter to N.C. Governor Pat McCrory urging him to ban offshore drilling.
In both cases, the decisions pointed to economics as well as push back from the community. In the case of the proposed Titan cement plant, both environmentalists and business leaders said the reversal offers another opportunity to talk about economic development and revisit the controversial special use permit process, which adds extra review by the county before industrial sites can open.
New Hanover County planning staff are currently reviewing a proposed modification of the special use permit procedure proposed through a task force assembled by the N.C. Coastal Federation.
Business, political and environmental leaders said now with the question of Titan put aside, there was room for a renewed discussion on the special use permit, which was adopted by the county after public outcry in 2011 over the cement plant proposal.
“Titan was a trigger. It was a wakeup call for the community that there was no real voice for the citizens on what kind of industry we want in our community,” said Mike Giles, N.C. Coastal Federation coastal advocate. “We are surrounded by saltwater and groundwater aquifers. To let any industry come in without scrutiny on the impact is not a wise thing to do.”
Connie Majure-Rhett, president and CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, said the special use permit serves as a disincentive for businesses to locate in New Hanover County.
“Talk to any site selector and you’ll find they’re more site de-selectors,” Majure-Rhett said. “They look to eliminate risk and offer their clients the best options for locations. The special use permit can be a factor in this.”
Through a grant, the Coastal Federation formed a task force to examine the special use permit to reach a compromise with the business community. The proposal hasn’t satisfied everyone, and representatives of the Coastal Federation, as well as the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, met with county manager Chris Coudriet in early March to discuss the differences in ideas.
Hal Kitchen, former chamber chairman, served on the Coastal Federation task force and said it has so far not found a compromise on the issue, citing concerns that the new proposal still didn’t offer enough clarification on industry classifications, timelines and requirements to be met during the special use process.
“We tried really hard over the last year and a half, have held a ton of meetings and done a ton of work on it, but so far, we have not found that middle ground that I would have liked to have found,” Kitchen said.
County commission chair Beth Dawson’s support of the special use procedure is cited by business leaders as one of the factors contributing to her primary election defeat this week.
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