Elizabeth Ouzts

Elizabeth Ouzts

Contributing Reporter .

Elizabeth Ouzts is a contributing reporter at Canary Media based in Raleigh, North Carolina, reporting on North Carolina and Virginia. She previously covered North Carolina’s clean energy transition for the Energy News Network from 2016 to 2025. She has also produced features for Environmental Health News and SEJournal, the news magazine of the Society of Environmental Journalists. A former communications director for the nonprofit Environment America, Elizabeth brings over two decades of environmental and energy policy experience to her reporting.

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Duke University uncertain over proposed new power plant

Acknowledging that a new fossil-fuel powered plant may have little environmental upside, Duke University officials say they are not committed to the $55 million project they announced in May, even if state regulators give it the green light.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 2 November 2016
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Voters in North Carolina county to decide on $2.4 billion transit plan

A ballot proposal in Wake County, which includes the state capital of Raleigh, would impose a half-cent sales tax to fund a 10-year transit expansion in the largely car-dependent area.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 19 October 2016
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North Carolina community pushes back on coal ash permits

The McCrory administration’s proposal to allow increased water pollution from two Duke Energy coal ash dumps was met with indignation at a public hearing here last week – with nearly all of the more than twenty speakers voicing objection.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 10 October 2016
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How a rural corner of North Carolina could dominate the region's wind market

A portion of North Carolina with some of the state's best potential for wind energy is also in the PJM Interconnection, making it easier to connect the projects to companies committed to clean energy.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 3 October 2016
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On the Carolina coast, drilling opponents open to offshore wind

A public meeting hosted by the Obama administration this week at Jennette’s Pier showed most coastal residents ready for the state’s potential to be tapped – at least as long as the wind turbines remain beyond the horizon.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 22 September 2016
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In NASCAR country, seeking more support for electric vehicles

Race car driver Leilani Münter may be North Carolina’s highest profile champion for electric vehicles, but a week of events showcasing plug-in cars and their owners across the state show she’s far from alone.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 15 September 2016
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Advocates say Duke Energy long-term plans 'woefully inadequate'

While the utility industry is undergoing considerable upheaval, critics say you’d never know it by looking at Duke Energy’s most recent long-range planning documents.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 8 September 2016
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Maps show risk to marine life from seismic testing for offshore oil

While offshore drilling is on hold off the Atlantic coast, conservationists say surveying for oil via seismic testing puts marine wildlife at risk.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 24 August 2016