The Senate gave final legislative approval Monday to legislation increasing penalties for first-degree trespass when they occur at power and water treatment plants.

 

The measure now heading to Gov. Beverly Perdue's desk was in response to the arrests of Greenpeace protesters at a coal-fired Duke Energy plant in Arden. Some protesters climbed a smokestack and others secured themselves to equipment.

 

First-degree trespassing is currently a misdemeanor with a maximum 60 days in jail. The bill creates a higher grade of misdemeanor and a low-grade felony that could mean several months behind bars for a first offense.