Former DEQ Secretary Donald van der Vaart was appointed to the post by State Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby last July. Van der Vaart, known for his anti-regulatory stances, served as DEQ secretary under former Gov. Pat McCrory.
In addition to climate change, North Carolina faces several environmental crises: Perfluorinated compounds in drinking water. The proliferation of the mining industry. Hazardous waste, air pollution, environmental justice.