When three million-plus gallons of untreated sewage spewed into the Haw River, DENR told the city it could delay public notification until the spill was stopped and the actual extent of the spill was known.

Pipes break, spills happen, and no governor can prevent them all. But governors are judged by how they react to breaks and spills. DENR’s delay was a missed opportunity for McCrory’s team to show they are serious about protecting the environment and serving every citizen.