The "Dueling Dinosaurs" exhibit opening this weekend at Raleigh's North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will feature what's believed to be the most complete T. rex skeleton ever discovered.

'Dueling Dinosaurs:' One-of-a-kind dig at Raleigh science museum opens this weekend

DinoLab at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

Athens Drive Magnet High School and Conn Magnet Elementary School won national awards Saturday at the Magnet Schools of America's annual conference.

Top two magnet schools in the US are in Wake County

Athens Drive High School

All assets associated with the tag: Michael Regan

Michael Regan Coverage

The Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing the nation's first-ever drinking water standards for five forever chemicals or PFAS. The chemicals are present in drinking water systems across North Carolina and studies have linked PFAS to health risks including cancer and developmental problems in children. 

New rules aim to make drinking water safer in North Carolina by removing toxic chemicals

Cary and Raleigh water test results

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 -- While we applaud the EPA for pushing companies to fight climate change, the agency should also revive the innovative Renewable Fuel Standard proposal to make its climate-fighting plans work even faster.

G.K.BUTTERFIELD & IVAN URLAUB: North Carolina's secret weapon in the climate crisis

Electric vehicle charging station

Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 -- To protect our environment and North Carolina we must do more than just expand clean energy. We must also reduce pollution from dirty energy sources - namely power plants and cars. That's why it's so important that the EPA, led by N.C. native Michael Regan, adopt strong standards to cut carbon pollution from power plants and vehicles.

BOB KEEFE: Strong EPA rules can deliver on North Carolina's clean economy promise

The Promise and Peril of Biden’s Climate Policy

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said his administration will elevate environmental justice issues, telling state agencies to pay more attention to the impacts pollution have on poorer communities.

Cooper calls for broad study, new mapping tool, for environmental justice

Gov. Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 292, on environmental justice, Oct. 24, 2023 at the governor's mansion.

The Biden administration said Monday it is launching a broad strategy to regulate toxic industrial compounds associated with serious health conditions that are used in products ranging from cookware to carpets and firefighting foams.

>> THER INTO INTERVIEW CAN BE FOUND ON WRAL.COM. AND HOW THAT CHANGED HIS OUTLOOK. >> MICHAEL REAGAN CAME TO RALEIGH TODAY. LAYING OUT THE STRATEGY ON HOLDING POLLUTERS ACCOUNTABLE. >> Reporter: YOU PROBABLY REMEMBER NORTH CAROLINA WAS THE SITE OF ONE OF THE FIRST KNOWN PEA POD CONTAMINATION PROBLEM. IT'S NO SURPRISE ADMINISTRATOR REAGAN CAME RIGHT BACK TO HIS HOME STATE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE EPA IS PLANNING TO DO ABOUT IT. EPA ADMINISTRATOR MICHAEL REAGAN SAID CONTAMINATION BY PEA FAST OR FOREVER CHEMICALS LIKE GENX WAS THE TOUGHEST PROBLEM HE FACED DURING HIS TIME. >> THE CHEMICALS WERE ONCE CONSIDERED A SILVER BULLET. A MEANS FOR MAKING OUR LIVES EASIER. THEY WERE USED ALL ACROSS AMERICA FROM COOKWARE, STAIN AND WATER RESISTANT FABRICS AND CLEANING PRODUCTS. THESE CHEMICALS BUILD UP WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN LINKED TO LIVER AND THYROID CANCERS. >> ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. IT'S TIME THAT WE PRIORITIZE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S HEALTH OVER PROFITS OF BIG POLLUTERS. >> Reporter: DOZENS OF THEM ARE MADE HERE. BUT PEA FAST CONTAMINATION IS A PROBLEM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. NOT ONLY ARE MOST OF THESE NOT REGULATED, THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO HIDE THEIR RECIPES. REAGAN SAYS THAT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE. COMPANIES WILL HAVE TO TELL THEM WHAT THEY ARE MAKING. >> UNDER THE SAFE WATER DRINKING ACT, WE HAVE THE TOOLS TO DEMAND BETTER EXPOSURE. IT'S NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE FOR THESE COMPANIES TO HIDE BEHIND THESE BUSINESS DISCLOSURES. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT'S IN THEIR DRINKING WATER. >> Reporter: THE EPA WILL SET DRINKING WATER STANDARDS FOR THESE CHEMICALS. THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE THEM WILL BE REQUIRED TO TEST FOR THEM IN THE ENVIRONMENT. >> WE ARE DESIGNATING THIS AS A POLLUTANT ON OUR SUPER FRONT PROGRAM, SO WE DETERMINE THE CLEANUP LEVELS AND FORCE THEM TO PAY FOR IT. >> Reporter: WE COULD SEE ACTION EVEN HERE IN THIS STATE SOME TIME IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF

EPA to set drinking water standard for 'forever chemicals,' require makers to test for it in environment

EPA Administrator Michael Regan

EPA unveils strategy to regulate toxic 'forever chemicals'

Chemours sign, Fayetteville Works plant

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and EPA Administrator Michael Regan discuss the Colonial Pipeline shutdown during the daily White House press briefing.

we have two more special guests for all of you today. Um uh, Secretary Buddha Judge has, of course, been here before, so we're not gonna give him a lengthy introduction. But administrator Administrator Regan previously served as the Secretary of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. There, he spearheaded the development and implementation of North Carolina's Seminole Plan to address climate change and transition the state to a clean energy economy. And he secured the largest coal ash cleanup in United States history. Administrator Regan began his career at the Environmental Protection Agency and is the first African American man and second person of color to lead it. I will also just note before we go to them. Uh, Secretary Grand Home Secretary, Buddha, judge and Secretary Marcus will brief the full House and Senate this evening as well. They'll take a few questions, but I will turn over first to secretary. Thank you, Jen. Good afternoon. Uh, let me start just by saying that we know that the cyber attack on the colonial pipeline is affecting fuel supply for some Americans. And throughout the administration, we have been working around the clock to help Colonial return its pipeline back to normal operations quickly, safely and securely. The president has directed us to bring all government resources to bear, to help Colonial to resolve this. And we're working to assess the impact of the temporary pipeline shutdown on our national fuel supply while also working to help alleviate any potential shortages when and where they occur. I can tell you that I've been on the phone multiple times a day with the White House with fellow Cabinet secretaries and other leaders, including Administrator Regan. We'll be doing everything we can to reduce the impact that some Americans could see at local gas stations in some areas until the pipeline is brought back online. Colonial has announced that they're working toward full restoration by the end of this week, but we are not taking any chances. We are doing everything we can in the interim to make it easier to move fuel to the places that need it. Since Friday, our interagency response group has been examine ating all contingencies, coordinating with Colonial and working closely across the inter agency to help alleviate any potential supply disruptions. For our part in transportation, the department has been working across our different modes of transportation help make sure that fuel can get to the communities that need it as safely and as efficiently as possible. Our maritime administration or Mayor Ed has completed a survey of the availability of vessels that are qualified to carry petroleum under the Jones Act in the Gulf and up the Eastern Seaboard. The Department of Homeland Security is standing ready to review any requests for a temporary waiver of the Jones Act from companies that demonstrate that there is not sufficient capacity on Jones Act qualified vessels to carry specific shipments of fuel in and around the region. Our Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an hours of service waiver, which provides greater flexibility to drivers transporting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products to 18 states On Monday and Tuesday and into today, several states have issued emergency declarations that allow truckers to carry additional weight on state roads. The White House and D. O. T have determined that 10 states can use existing federal major disaster declarations that are currently in place to allow those states to issue permits that allow drivers to temporarily carry additional gasoline that would ordinarily exceed existing weight limits on federal highways in their state. Each state has to follow its own procedures to issue these permits, but this decision determination provides them with added flexibility to move fuel more efficiently if they need to. Finns are Pipeline and hazardous materials Safety Administration is temporarily relaxing enforcement of certain pipeline operator qualification rules to make sure that emergency personnel can manually get help to get the pipeline back up and running as needed, and are in frequent touch again with the pipeline operators about safety. In addition to these steps, we are continuing to monitor the situation as it develops so that we can help anywhere that we can for our department. Our mandate and our mission revolves around safety. And so we are working hard to maintain safety while also providing much needed temporary flexibility to minimize disruptions to the American people. And D. O. T. Is in regular contact with state and local governments and with members of Congress, as well as with retailers and other companies in the sectors that are impacted. And of course, we're in constant contact with our partners across the federal government to coordinate the response, so together we are working to assess the impact of the shutdown, offer emergency assistance and, of course, help colonial return to normal operations. Our top priority right now is getting the fuel to communities that need it. And we will continue doing everything that we can to meet that goal in the coming days, and we'll continue to keep everyone oppressed. Importantly, this incident also reminds us that infrastructure is a national security issue and the reality is that investing in world class, modern and resilient infrastructure has always been central to ensuring our country's economic security, our national security. And it was as we're seeing right now, that includes cybersecurity. Thank you all turned over to Administrator Regan. Uh huh. Thank you. Secretary Buddha. Judge James Good to be here with you today. You know, as Secretary Buddha judge mentioned, the president has directed a government wide response to the Colonial pipeline shutdown and at e P. A. We're doing our part to mitigate the impacts that people and communities might be experiencing. The Clean Air Act allows EPA in consultation with the Department of Energy, to waive certain fuel requirements to address shortages. After careful evaluation, E p A and D O. We concluded that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and that granting short term waivers is consistent with the public interest. EPA issued an initial waiver on Tuesday morning and later issued a second, More expansive waiver that covers 12 states and the District of Columbia, e P A wave certain gasoline requirements, specifically the requirement for low volatility conventional gasoline as well as reformulated gasoline. While the waiver alone will not resolve the supply situation, it will help alleviate supply shortages. The Waiver allows the use of any residential winter gasoline that may exist in the region. It will also allow butane to be blended into existing fuel stops, increasing the supply of gasoline by up to 5%. E p A. Granted the waivers to help mitigate the supply shortages of gasoline in the effective areas until normal supply to the region can be restored. EPA followed an orderly process when assessing and issuing the fuel waiver. Any such waiver is limited in both geographic scope and in the duration to mitigate any potential impacts to air quality. At this time, we do not anticipate air quality problems from these limited waivers. In assessing the situation and issuing the waivers. EPA has been in close coordination and communication with all of the impacted states. Our partnerships with the states is key to being able to effectively respond to the developing situation like this one going forward. We will keep coordinating with our state called state colleagues to assess the situation on the ground and to determine whether we can provide any future flexibilities to alleviate impacts for people and communities in these affected areas. We understand that there are shortages resulting from the colonial pipeline shutdown that cause stress and confusion in people's lives. Our response underscores the importance of President Biden's all of government directive, which asked federal agencies to harness our collective expertise and work in sync when urgent matters arise. This agency effort is the linchpin to a swift and coordinated response, and with that I'll turn it over again. Go ahead. Thank you so much. One question for Mr Regan. One question for Mr Buddha Judge. Many of your fellow North Carolinians cannot find gasoline right now. What's your advice to them about what they should do and what they shouldn't do until this situation is resolved? Yes, we are in very close coordination with my home state. Just like the other 12 states. I think the folks should follow the advice of the governors and the attorney general's which they're asking folks not to panic, not to hoard gasoline and to, uh, watch for the update started coming from the federal government. We have some really good coordinated efforts at the federal, state and local levels, and we're working very hard to alleviate these circumstances. And then secretary video judge you mentioned that this situation shows the importance of world class infrastructure what could have been done or what should be done to prevent something like this from happening. Well, this is part of what we have in mind when we talk about resilience. We need to make sure our infrastructure is resilient to climate security issues caused by the increased frequency and severity of weather events. But we also need to be sure that we are resilient in the face of cyber threats and certainly in the kinds of things that the American jobs plan will be funding and supporting. Part of the expectation for local authorities or states or other bodies seeking to get funding is that there be robust cybersecurity, resilience and planning. Written into that, this is not an extra. This is not a luxury. This is not an option. Uh, this has to be core to how we secure our critical infrastructure. And that includes infrastructure that is not owned and operated by the federal government were being reminded that private companies and often local authorities own and operate so many of the critically important utilities and other infrastructure we count on here. Secretary to judge is the fact that this one ransomware attack could take down roughly 45 of the east coast fuel supply means that we should be building additional pipelines going forward. Well, in this case, this was an issue about how a cyberattack impact is a pipeline that's there. I'm not sure it really speaks to the number or quantity of pipelines or their throughput. I do think it reminds us that we need to make sure that we have the most resilient and flexible infrastructure for the future, especially when it comes to something like energy. Uh, we've now had you could argue two major wake up call experiences one in Texas. Uh, and now one here, each with a different cause, but both reminding us about the work that we have to do as a country. Jeff Mr Secretary Secretary Granholm yesterday said that she expected this issue to be resolved by the end of the week, more or less is that still your expectations? So go ahead. I'll defer to announcements from the company on on their process. Again, Uh, fins is in touch with them to review any plans that they have. I would emphasize that there is a lot that is involved in getting a pipeline up and running again. And so, uh, there's there's the announcement. Then there's, uh, the actual process and then some time for that to be fully up and running, which is one of the reasons why we're not wasting any time and haven't been since even over the weekend. Uh, in taking the steps that we need to mitigate any shortages, even things that could happen while the pipeline is getting fully online. But for that's completely taking place for you, perhaps for both of you. You describe the permits and waivers to allow other ways of getting fuel to the affected areas of the country. Is that working is that fuel arrives. We've got, uh, indications and feedback that the hours of service waiver has had an impact. And we expect that the waivers will as well. But obviously they're very new, and so will be closely looking for feedback both from companies and from states on how that's going Any coming up. Well, we'll add that these waivers are working. We've seen you're an exceptional response from all of our states who are very appreciative of these waivers. Uh, it does expand the fuel supply. It allows for fuels to be, uh, moved around more freely in the region. Um, and it does relieve some of that tension. And so we'll continue to work closely with our states and our partners to ensure that were taken all the actions that we can to alleviate Some of these situations. Very. Mr Secretary, we now see gas above $3 a gallon for the first time in seven years. A bottom line. What's your message to Americans who are worried about how this is going to impact their wallet? How long do you think this is going to last? And do you think prices are gonna go up even further. Well, my message is that we understand these concerns that we've seen that in a lot of the impact of geography is that this is a real issue. And that's one of the reasons why we've been working with every lever of government that's available. Uh, and not the federal government is an island, but interacting with states and with companies to address this. Uh, so you know, I can't speak to long term energy markets. Obviously, this is a very specific and acute issue, but we recognize the concern that's out there, and that's why we haven't wasted any time to get into action. And that's why the President has directed us to be really thorough and examining all of our different authorities and all the different pieces of our respective agencies to be helped. Jeff, Um, the distribution has been saying that you're willing to consider Jones act waivers. Have any requests been filed? And, uh, since the American administration has finished survey, what's different, Herman, about how many Joan doctor friendships are really available right now. Monitor contract Gulf, etcetera. So I can't speak to any, uh, specific, uh, waiver requests going on right now, but What I'll say is that, uh, you know, this merit has acted very quickly to provide what is essentially one of two parts for this determination happened. One is the analysis that they do and then the other part, of course, for Homeland Security to pick it up and run with it. And we'll continue making sure that they get any information they need to be able to turn it around quickly. The level of analysis that's already been done. My understanding is previously that's taken a couple of days, and Mayor Ed was able to do it in a matter of hours. So they're moving quickly. And, uh, bottom line is stand at the ready to very expeditiously process. What comes in? What, are you confident that another attack on the pipeline can't happen imminently? Has the company told you anything about that about steps they've taken in the short term? Yeah, we can talk about this. I mean, they're speaking to their specific programs, but I will just say that we're probably not gonna get into details about the company's own preparations. We've talked about the fact that this was a ransomware attack, that this is these threats have been out there for some time, and it's certainly a reminder to this company and others to continue to harden their cybersecurity, but we'll let them speak to their other preparations. Good. Thank you. Uh, this is Wednesday. Today we're talking about potentially a weekend restoration, but things are getting really crazy out there. Uh, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning people not to fill up plastic bags with gasoline. One in 10 gas stations in D. C is out of gas and the figures are far higher in the south. Um, is the Biden administration having any preliminary discussions about potentially taking over the pipeline to restore restore the flow if the company is unable to do it themselves? So I've not heard anything along those lines. We are partnering with the company to make sure that on everything from the flexibilities, we talked about two technical support and advice that they're getting the help they need. And they have been able through line for and, uh, and ancillary lines to move some product. Although again obviously waiting for determination on fully reopening. I will say that this is a time to be sensible and to be safe. Of course, we understand the concerns in the areas where people are encountering temporary supply disruptions. But hoarding does not make things better. And under no circumstances should gasoline ever be put into anything but a vehicle directly or an approved container. And that, of course, remains true no matter what else is going on. Thank you, Secretary. Unless you want to do one more, go ahead. Thank you. Based on what you know right now, do you anticipate having to extend the duration or expand the scope of the fuel waivers further? Well, we're in very close coordination with each individual state. They all have different needs. Uh, will continue to assess that. And we do have the authority if needed to extend or issue a new waiver beyond the 20 days that we have already issued travel announcements for either of you. Or either you go into any particular region and address these in person that you're able to dishonor at this time. I don't have any travel announcements at this time. Thank you. Thank you both. Thank you so much for joining us. Appreciate it. Thank you. Okay. Um, all right. I have another kind of hard out here at one o'clock. Sorry, lots going on, but we will get to as many questions as we can. Um, I do have a couple of additional details of outreach from the White House to governors. I just wanted to convey to all of you uh, our White House director of Intergovernmental Affairs, Julie Rodriguez, has been in contact with a range of state and local leaders to discuss the administration's response, obviously, as have officials from a range of agencies and separate calls with chiefs of staff for governor for from Governor Hogan of Maryland, Governor Northam of Virginia Governor Wolf of Pennsylvania. Uh, Washington, D C. Mayor Bowser in Nashville, Tennessee. Mayor Cooper Julie had a productive conversations outlining the actions we have taken to address the supply challenges, including, of course, E P s waivers. Expanding gasoline supply. We in each of these conversations she welcomed feedback, encouraged close coordination. I would also, um, uh conveyed to you that Secretary Grant Home, who's here just yesterday, also hosted a conference call yesterday with the governors of the 14 states impacted by the colonial pipeline as a part of our ongoing effort to remain closely engaged with state and local leaders,

Federal officials discuss pipeline shutdown

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 -- In the days since President-elect Joseph Biden announced Michael Regan's pick to lead the EPA, he has been described as both "a consensus builder" as well as a "fierce protector of the environment."  He has demonstrated that those are NOT mutually exclusive and is just what will be needed to reinvigorate the EPA.

Editorial: N.C.'s Regan is Biden's good pick to restore and revive EPA

Biden to Pick Michael Regan, North Carolina Environment Regulator, to Head EPA

President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday offered the leadership of the Environmental Protection Agency to Michael Regan, a North Carolina regulator who has made a name pursuing cleanups of industrial toxins and helping low-income and minority communities hit hardest by pollution.

WE WILL SHOW YOU WHEN WE WILL SEE THAT RAIN IN 15 MINUTES. >> THANK YOU, MIKE. >>> NORTH CAROLINA'S TOP ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIAL IS POIS ED  TO MAKE HISTORY. MICHAEL REGAN WAS NOMINATED TODAY BY PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN TO LEAD THE EPA. LAURA LESLIE REPORTS HE WOULD BE THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE TO HOLD THAT POSITION >> Reporter: MICHAEL REGAN WORKED  AS AN EPA AIR QUALITY REGULATOR  FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS UNDER PRESIDENTS CLINTON AND GEORGE W. BUSH. AFTER THAT HE SPENT EIGHT YEARS AT THE ENVIRONMENT DEFENSE FUND. >> AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATE IN NORTH CAROLINA, I WILL SORELY MISS HAVING MICHAEL AS OUR SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENT. HE HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING LEADER FOR OUR STATE. >> Reporter: REGAN AND THE MCA ALUMNI BECOME PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EQUALITY AND EXCAVATED 76 MILLION TONS OF COAL ASH FROM LAGOONS AROUND THE STATE AND HAS BEEN GOVERNOR COOPER'S POINT MAN ON CLIMATE CHANGE, SEEKING TO MAKE THE STATE CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2050 AND TRANSITIONED TO A CLEAN EMERGENCY ECONOMY, SOMETHING PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN SAID HE WILL PRIORITIZE. >> THE PLAN WAS THE MOST AMBITIOUS AND COMPREHENSIVE ON CLEAN ENERGY THAT THE STATE HAS SEEN. THANKS TO IT WE ARE POSITIONED TO TAKE REALLY MEANINGFUL ACTION HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA. >> Reporter: IF HE IS CONCERNED BY THE  U.S. SENATE HE WILL BE THE FIRST BLACK MAN TO LEAD THE EPA. LISA JACKSON WAS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO HOLD THE JOB. NOT KNOWN AS A POLITICAL PARTISAN, REGAN HAS BEEN RESPECTED  BY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS AS WELL AS DEMOCRATS . HAD. >> THAT WAS LAURA LESLIE REPORTING . HE IS ALSO KNOWN

EPA nominee was 'fierce protector' of NC's environment

Biden picks North Carolina environmental chief to lead EPA

State Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan spoke with WRAL News Feb. 20, 2019, about a revised consent agreement between regulators and Chemours over contamination of the Cape Fear River by GenX and other related compounds.