People Power: Tell the Army Corps NO MVP and NO SSEP TODAY! Keep our water clean and say no to the 404 permit for both!
Hi all you Fierce Fossil Fuel Fighters!
When it comes to pipelines in our state, the fight to keep our communities and our Water safe is far from over. Please, don't lose hope in the strength that our coalition has built. We have power.
Today, we’ll cover four key updates:
1. A review of our new SSEP construction monitoring efforts.
2. We have answers to your questions about the new Governor-appointed Task Force.
3. A spotlight on our new Climate Resiliency Curriculum.
4. A reminder about the empowering solidarity event coming up next month in Durham.
What’s Next With the SSEP?
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the entire Southeast Supply Enhancement Project. There is a link to a press release from the NoSSEP Coalition through the Sierra Club here.
Two quick and important actions we're asking each of you to take today.
As you may know, Haw River Assembly is fighting back against multiple fossil-fuel powered projects across the Southeast. Two of these projects are the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) and MVP Southgate.
Both SSEP and MVP Southgate each have one permit left - the Army Corps of Engineers approval of the 404 section of the Clean Water Act. We are collecting opposition to share with the Army Corps ahead of supporting potential authorization challenges. Please, please take a moment to add your name to these two petitions and share with some friends/relatives/neighbors! Tell the Army Corps: No 404 for SSEP or MVPS!
1. Tell the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: NO 404 for SSEP!
2. Tell the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: NO 404 for MVP Southgate!
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires authorization from the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, for the discharge of dredged or fill material into all waters of the United States, including wetlands. A Corps permit is required, whether the work is permanent or temporary.
The Section 404 authorization is the last outstanding permit required for BOTH Transco-Williams to begin construction on the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) AND for Mountain Valley to begin on the MVP Southgate Expansion (MVPS). Both companies expect to receive this authorization from the Army Corps by the end of February.
The time is NOW to reinforce to the Army Corps of Engineers that the public DOES NOT support this dirty, dangerous, unnecessary project. With an unclear date, we need to collect as many voices as we can as quickly as we can. Sign these two petitions to add your voice and visit nossep.org & stopmvpsouthgate.com for more info and to stay up to date with community resilience efforts against the SSEP, MVP, and other fossil fuel projects in the Southeast. Communities Over Pipelines!
Haw River Assembly’s concerns on the open-cut, dry ditch methods Transco-Williams plans to use during the construction of the SSEP still stand. These methods will be used for the vast majority of the route, including the buffer areas of Jordan Lake and Randleman Lake. This causes great concern for sedimentation pollution and additional impact on local ecosystems.
WE NEED YOU!!!
To begin, we need volunteers to join our SSEP-Watch!
Haw River Assembly is providing essential support by aiding in and conducting initial water testing. This is necessary to have baseline data to compare potential construction violations to. Our organization is uniquely positioned to support this effort due to our experience with Muddy Watch, Sediment and River Watch, and our Stream Investigation Program. We begin collecting data in Oak Ridge, Guilford County last week. Check out images and more details on our Instagram @hawriverassembly
Interested in taking part in these efforts? Are you a landowner along the Right-of-Way (ROW) or near the route who can allow members of our SSEP-Watch to go on your property to take photos and samples? Please fill out this form to demonstrate your interest: https://forms.gle/s1Q36vp5MyT3xCmd7
Need more info on how to get involved? Need a way to voice your frustration and disappointment? Another essential area of our continued fight is to put pressure on NC state representatives and local elected officials. This focus will be great for those who are further away from the ROW/can't commit to on-the-ground monitoring. Email me at aidan@hawriver.org, and I can provide more information, help you with a letter to the editor, and/or send comments to local elected officials.
I greatly admire the strength and resilience of our community in the face of all these pressures. Thank you for being a part of the fight up to now.
Governor Stein's Energy Policy Task Force: What is it?
The Governor's Energy Policy Task Force has released its first report on the state of energy policy in North Carolina. Read the release here and review the one-pager below to learn about the Task Force, its purpose, and its structure. Next week, we'll have a full breakdown of their 2026 report, what they found, and what this means for the future of energy in our state.
Climate Resiliency Curriculum
How do we equip individuals with the tools, knowledge, and resources to build resilient communities in the face of climate change?
Haw River Assembly is excited to offer a hands-on training program designed to build climate resilience through education, research, and action. Research and education must be paired with action and advocacy. By the end of our Climate Resiliency Curriculum, students will be prepared to engage directly in their community on a local issue.
This two-to-three-day lesson plan supports students in:
1. Determining and clearly articulating their climate advocacy goals and concerns
2. Learning how to research climate change effectively and identify credible resources
3. Taking direct action by engaging with local systems of power to achieve actionable change
Do you know a student in high school or college feeling overwhelmed or powerless in the face of the climate crisis? Are you a teacher/professor with students curious about how to make an effective change in our community? Email aidan@hawriver.org to learn more and register.
Upcoming Solidarity Event! Learn about Organizing Victories Across our State!
Mark your calendar for Communities Over Corporate Profit: How We Win
We will be sharing the collective successes of our movements in the past year
Celebrating the communities who are building power in NC.
Equipping people to replicate ongoing initiatives in their own communities!
Here’s what you need to know:
When: March 8 2026, 12-3pm
Where: Durham Central Park Pavilion, 501 Foster Street , Durham, NC 27701
What: music, art with Paperhand Puppet Project, participatory group activities, keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and so much more! Family friendly / kid friendly art welcomed and encouraged!
Background: This event is part two of the collaborative Communities Over Corporate Profit campaign. Last October, over 20 NC organizations and advocacy groups came together to throw an event highlighting the importance of prioritizing our communities over corporate greed. The event, which also generated signatures for a list of demands to Governor Stein, was a success! Folks at the event were eager for more opportunities to engage on the issues we raised of low wages, high energy bills, AI data centers, and heat causing dangerous working conditions. On Sunday March 8th, join us, learn and get inspired, then go forth in your community and mobilize!
No registration required. Detailed breakdown of day-of timing and speaker schedule to be announced soon.
Interested in Tabling?
Do you or an organization/group you’re a part of want to table? Email aidan@7directionsofservice.com to learn more about tabling at Communities Over Corporate Profits: How We Win!
We are facing challenging times as a country. Together, in our corner of the world, we will fight to protect our Haw River and our Haw River community by standing in solidarity efforts for justice for the water and justice for the people. As always, this is Aidan wishing community care, light, and love.
Take care of yourselves and each other,
~ Aidan Loretz (they/them, she/her)