RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina made waves this summer when lawmakers temporarily banned adopting a science panel's suggestions to prepare for sea level rise. Supporters of that moratorium hope other states will be inspired to similar action.

The North Carolina bill called for preparing for an 8-inch rise over 88 years — a smaller increase than the science panel's warning of 3 feet. The lower estimate would result in less regulation on coastal developments.

Virginia has toned down language in a study bill, and Texas tried to wash some climate language from a state-funded publication. Opponents of accelerated climate change say the states are at the forefront of a movement to push back against bogus science, but others worry the Southern states are fighting well-established findings.