Donald van der Vaart Coverage

'It turned into politics:' Critics warn that chief justice, Republican lawmakers threaten state office's reputation for impartiality

An independent state office that functions like a court has long had a reputation for stability and impartiality. But its new leader, with help from the legislature, is making waves and consolidating power.

John Drescher and Anne Blythe / The Assembly

Former NC environmental chief accuses Cooper administration of 'stifling' his opinions

Weeks after state Department of Environmental Quality officials placed former agency chief Donald van der Vaart on "investigatory leave," he stepped down from the agency Monday, saying officials in Gov. Roy Cooper's administration were trying to "stifle" him.

Matthew Burns

Former DEQ leaders on paid leave after Trump administration appointment

A pair of holdovers from the state Department of Environmental Quality under former Gov. Pat McCrory are on "investigatory leave" under the new administration.

Travis Fain

Controversial overhaul to EPA advisory board includes former DEQ chief

A former head of North Carolina's environmental agency has been appointed to an advisory panel at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a controversial overhaul of the panel by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

NC environmental chief takes demotion to keep job

Secretary of Environmental Quality Donald van der Vaart plans to take a position in his department's Division of Air Quality in order to avoid being shut out altogether when the administration of Gov.-elect Roy Cooper takes over next week.

Laura Leslie

DEQ chief: State tried not to be alarmist over well water safety

One week after state leaders publicly accused a state toxicologist of rogue science in setting a safety threshold for hexavalent chromium in drinking water, North Carolina's top environmental regulator now says his agency never disagreed with the scientific findings, just the way they were presented to well owners.

Laura Leslie

NC environmental chief backs restriction on solar farms, incentives for nuclear plants

Critics of solar energy are trying to rein in the industry by rewriting state laws, and the head of the state Department of Environmental Quality is leading the charge, pushing the state Energy Policy Council to recommend some major changes.

Laura Leslie

Donald van der Vaart

N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Donald van der Vaart