Carolina Journal News Reports
CJ Series

The Climate Registry

In 2007, North Carolina joined the Climate Registry, a California-based nonprofit that seeks to persuade companies, organizations, and state and local governments to report their greenhouse gas emissions in hopes of reducing climate change. Carolina Journal investigates the state's financial relationship with the nonprofit and potential conflicts of interest among air quality officials.

(3.25.09) Republican Leader Questions Gas Tax Payment
RALEIGH — State Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, isn’t keen on using North Carolina gasoline tax revenue to join the Climate Registry, a California-based nonprofit that seeks to fight global warming. Berger recently criticized the use of gas tax funds for expenditures unrelated to transportation, including two payments made by the N.C. Division of Air Quality to the registry.

(2.12.09) Air Quality Official Recruited for Nonprofit on Taxpayer Dime
RALEIGH — A former official in the N.C. Division of Air Quality charged about $2,000 to his state reimbursement account while traveling for The Climate Registry, an out-of-state nonprofit that seeks to fight global warming. Brock Nicholson, who was deputy director of DAQ until he retired in December, also worked on state time to convince entities to join the registry and pay membership fees.

(10.14.08) N.C. Bankrolled Climate Change Nonprofit
RALEIGH — N.C. air quality officials bankrolled a new national nonprofit that seeks to persuade companies, organizations, and state and local governments to report their greenhouse gas emissions in hopes of curbing climate change.