Celeste Gracia
Environment ReporterCeleste Gracia has been at WUNC since September 2019. She moved over as environment reporter after starting off as morning producer. She's interested in covering several topics within her beat, including climate change and environmental justice.
Celeste graduated from the University of North Texas. She previously interned at CBS News Radio in New York and Morning Edition in Washington D.C.
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My favorite story that I worked on this year is my story about restoring Sugarloaf Island, Morehead City’s barrier island. -
2024 was a busy year in North Carolina’s environment and energy sector. From PFAS regulations to more houses falling in the ocean; from the clean energy transition to Hurricane Helene, here’s a roundup of this year’s top stories. -
Timbermill Wind in Chowan County includes 45 turbines spread out across more than 6,000 acres. The project is expected to produce clean energy and provide an economic boom to the region. -
There are three groundwater standards for PFAS under consideration. Public comment overwhelmingly supports the proposed regulations, but is also pushing for more action. -
Duke Energy plans to rebuild three of its substations in western North Carolina after Helene’s catastrophic damage. Some resiliency factors include elevating facilities to higher ground and building flood walls. -
Clean energy advocates say the revised Carbon Plan moves away from fossil fuels too slowly. The plan also pushes back a state goal to reduce emissions by 70% by 2030. -
Helene destroyed farmers' land, crops and equipment. In Henderson County, widely known for its apple farms, damages could reach up to $50 million for the county’s 450 farms. -
The Moriah Energy Center is a liquified natural gas storage facility under construction in Person County. Some community members worry the project will cause toxic air and water pollution. -
Rising heat is making outdoor jobs more difficult, dangerous... and even deadly. -
The National Centers for Environmental Information, located in Asheville, is working to restore its services after suffering damage from Helene. While existing records are safe, the research institute has not ingested any new data since Sept. 26.
