Haw Riverkeeper and Executive Director of the Haw River Assembly Emily Sutton speaks with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell on Thursday, Apr. 2. She shares the success of the organization’s recent 36th Clean-Up-A-Thon and how that annual event helps do more than just remove litter from the watershed. Sutton also details the Haw River Assembly’s recent policy work, including alerting people to the importance of PFAS and 1,4 Dioxane rules changes and trying to establish more guardrails around data center construction. Finally, she previews several upcoming events organized by the nonprofit, including its annual Haw River Festival in May.

Each Thursday, “News on the Hill” centers conversations around climate and sustainability for our Climate Thursday segment. We visit with community leaders, policy makers, and experts in the fields of climate science and sustainability in order to put all of the latest climate news into local context. Find our past Climate Thursday conversations here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
Pittsboro Releases Water Quality Test Results From New Filter System
The Town of Pittsboro invested heavily in a granular activated carbon filter system, or GAC filter, to try lowering some of the forever chemicals that are not yet regulated. After more than one month of being operational, the local government has shared some test results to highlight the system. Pittsboro commissioned samples to be taken […]
Water Quality Activists React to Pittsboro’s Decision to Investigate Polluters
From Taylor Heeden, Chatham News + Record Staff Pittsboro resident and Clean Haw River co-founder Katie Bryant was preparing to celebrate her birthday on June 17 in a unique way — attending a national conference in Wilmington about PFAS pollutants with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and N.C.’s Dept. of Environmental Quality. What Bryant didn’t […]
In Carrboro and Orange County, A Push Back Against Pollution
The Carrboro Town Council and Orange County Commissioners both passed resolutions this week to tackle climate change.
Virginia Has a Data Center Boon. Officials Debate Whether It’s Time to Scrap Its Tax Breaks
Virginia senators have voted to end a projected $1.6 billion annual tax break, requiring the industry to resume paying a minimum 5.3% sales tax.
Local Government Meetings: February 9-13, 2025
This week in local government: residents in Chatham County push back against Flock license-plate cameras and AI data centers.
Haw River Assembly Shares Annual Report on Health of the Watershed, Issues Facing It
In February, the Haw River Assembly will host several opportunities for the community to hear updates on the state of the watershed.
On the Porch: Emily Sutton - Riverkeeper for The Haw
This Week: Emily Sutton is the Executive Director of Haw River Assembly ("HRA") as well as being the Haw Riverkeeper. She joined the staff of Haw River Assembly in 2016, managing citizen science projects to watchdog against sediment pollution and monitor the tributaries and main stem of the Haw River. She has been Haw Riverkeeper since 2018, leading the fight for HRA against pollution in the Haw River on many fronts, including emerging contaminants, Jordan Lake nutrients, and sediment pollution. She is a current member of the NC Sedimentation Control Commission. Emily grew up paddling rivers in the Midwest, and moved to North Carolina to receive her B.A at Appalachian State University in Sustainable Development, where she studied Agroecology, Watershed Ecology, and Outdoor Education. Emily lives in Durham, NC.
Climate Thursday: Haw River Assembly Executive Director and Keeper of The Haw Emily Sutton
Haw River Assembly Executive Director and Keeper of the Haw Emily Sutton spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, January 9. She discussed last year's "State of the Haw" report, and what trends they are seeing for this year. She also previewed some public presentations of that data, previewed what's ahead in 2025 for the Haw River Assembly, and more.
Local Governments, Water Agencies React to New Federal PFAS Regulations
Local water agencies in Orange, Chatham and Durham counties shared their support of new rules against "forever chemicals" in drinking water.
Biden Administration Sets First-Ever Limits on ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water
Written by MICHAEL PHILLIS The Biden administration on Wednesday finalized strict limits on certain so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured. Officials say this will reduce exposure for 100 million people and help prevent thousands of illnesses, including cancers. The rule is […]
›