For years, North Carolina mega-donor Art Pope kept a low profile, quietly building one of the most influential state-based political networks in the country. Now, from his perch as the governor's budget director, Pope and his agenda are getting national media scrutiny.

Activists hauled polluted water from Appalachia to Washington, D.C. this week to draw attention to the plight of communities affected by mountaintop removal coal mining. The action comes as legislation was reintroduced in Congress to protect coalfield waterways.

A bill to end North Carolina's renewable energy program was passed out of a Senate committee last week even though it didn't have the votes it needed. What's happening in the state is part of a broader national effort to revamp renewable energy laws.