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The Outcome
On three occasions, a CLreporter drove past the government center parking deck security check point where a Barton rent-a-cop's only job was to ask each driver if they had a concealed weapon in the car. On all three occasions, he failed to note the gun in plain view on the dashboard or passenger seat of the CL reporter's car. Security officers stationed on the first floor of the government center were supposed to stop people without government worker ID badges and anyone carrying a box to "keep someone from coming in with an explosive device." The CL reporter passed them by several times carrying a box, and even purposely rammed one of the guards in the back with it and asked for directions to the mayor's office. Still, no one took notice of the box. After CL's article ran, the exits of the government center were sealed off and guards now check the bags of everyone who enters and exits. Did we mention we were only joking?
We Wrote
Lake Warriors Duke Energy subsidiary Crescent Resources teamed with Robert C. Rhein Interests and proposed a massive golf course community near the shores of Lake Wylie dubbed The Palisades. We told you that the sheer scope of this project with over 4,100 houses on about 1,500 acres ignited a vigorous, well-organized opposition the likes of which had never been seen in this area before. Organizations like the Lower Lake Wylie Association, The Sierra Club and the Catawba River Foundation all rallied against The Palisades, bringing the issue of water quality to the forefront. Developers stressed that they were going above and beyond the county's environmental standards, and that their plan would result in fewer homes compared to the area being developed in a piecemeal fashion. CL then dug a little deeper. We investigated the history of Duke Energy and Crescent Resources, and how they have long come under fire by environmentalists for their aggressive tactics and, many say, ill-conceived developments along the Catawba River, which was recently named the 13th most endangered river in the country.
The Outcome
In early December, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission made the unusual move of unanimously recommending to deny the developer's petition, saying there weren't enough water quality precautions in place a vote we've been told was influenced by CL's coverage of the issue. A week later, after developers made a few compromises and concessions, the county commission voted 8-1 in favor of the project. Both environmentalists and a few county commissioners characterized this final decision as the lesser of two evils as opposed to any kind of environmental victory. Others said The Palisades was just the latest example of big money developers getting what they want while local officials pay lip service to something called "smart growth." All the machinations and handwringing that took place over this issue demonstrated that Charlotte's development and planning systems need a major overhaul. Stay tuned on this one. Although the final vote has taken place, the devil is in the details. We'll keep you informed as to how things proceed, and if the developers and the county do what they promised.
We Wrote
The New Nuclear Fallout
After the Cold War, the US and Russia agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals, declaring approximately 68 tons of weapons-grade plutonium as surplus. That's the good news. What's the bad? According to opponents of nuclear energy, it's the plan to get rid of this fiercely toxic substance, a plan in which the plutonium would be mixed with uranium to make something called MOX fuel, which would then be used in nuclear reactors. Duke Energy immediately stepped up to the plate and said they were the right company to carry out the plan. The government agreed, and Duke Energy started planning for the construction of a fabrication plant near Aiken, SC where the MOX fuel is to be made. Once that process is finished and this is where the story gets really scary the MOX fuel will then be shipped up the highways to be used in the McGuire and Catawba nuclear plants near Charlotte. Duke says this is a tried and true process, and will be a great deal for everyone involved, most notably them. We talked to groups like the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL), who characterized the MOX fuel plan as more of a Chernobyl-like disaster in the making, and were calling on citizens to oppose what they call a criminally foolhardy risk. Moreover, it is a risk that has gotten scant attention by other local media, who have at best provided glossed-over stories that could have come out of the Duke Power PR department.
