Happy October, Fall is in the air! This is my favorite season; change is all around us.

I have good news(!), updates on the fight against new pipelines in NC, and information on upcoming community events. Thanks for being tuned in however you can, I appreciate even a brief scan for the highlights :)

Okay, onwards to the.... Exciting News!!!

Thanks to grassroots pressure, the Greensboro City Council has passed a unanimous resolution of concern over the proposed Transco-Williams Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) methane gas pipeline.

The original proposed resolution from Mayor Vaughan was much weaker, but thanks to public pressure through your mobilization, your calls and emails to the Mayor and Mayor Pro Temp last weekend, and the energy we all maintained over these past 9 months, we got some more meat added to the resolution!
Re-committing to the City of Greensboro's Strategic Energy Plan, showing that the project conflicts with the overall goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2040
Acknowledges the Silver LEED designation from the U.S. Green Building Council, received in 2020, which includes standards of reducing environmental harm and enhancing human health
Asks that FERC "evaluates all potential risks and alternatives to the proposed pipeline expansion"
Guilford County, Forsyth County, and the Town of Midway have passed similar unanimous, bipartisan resolutions expressing concerns and opposition to the proposed SSEP.
You can find a copy of Greensboro's full resolution HERE.

Watch the Greensboro City Council pass the resolution (and hear public comments from Margaret Rowlett and yours truly) by visiting this link for a recording of the October 8th meeting (timestamp: 8:16)
Read my full blog at 7 Directions with highlights and photos of the evening here.
Find other coverage from WFDD here and News & Record here (may be paywalled).

In times like these, we need to soak up every little bit of joy we can get and celebrate even the small victories. With the November elections almost here, we were lucky to get their attention at this crucial time in the regulatory process. They were willing to speak up even though the proposed pipeline wouldn't actually be within city limits. We sent their comments in to NCDEQ (a bit after their deadline, but they still accepted them for their review of the state 401 water crossing permit), and the Council will be sending the resolution to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

If you have a moment, especially if you're a Greensboro resident, please email the Council to thank them for passing the resolution. You can use this form. Mayor Vaughan, Councilmember Dr. Goldie Wells, and Councilmember Nancy Hoffman have all solidified their legacies as advocates for sustainable policy in the face of the climate crisis. As they wrap up their time as public servants in Greensboro, give them a bit of thanks!

What I Ask of You

This is an incredibly busy time with lots going on, in activism circles, in personal circles; we're all being pulled in many directions! For October and November, in-person NoSSEP meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of both months at the Oak Ridge Town Hall from 6 pm to 7:30 pm (Oct 28th & Nov 25th). I will also be planning a virtual NoSSEP meeting sometime in November to discuss the federal permitting process with FERC, what's next for our coalition, and other steps to build our collective resiliency.

I will be at (mostly) all of the events below! If you're looking for a chance to connect with me in person regarding NoSSEP updates, see other NoSSEP community members, or just move your body and be in solidarity, please do try to attend one of the following. (Especially if you're feeling burnt out/overwhelmed/anxious, trust me, these moments of connecting in person are so healing and reinvigorating.)

Upcoming Events:

**SUN Oct 19 ~ *Bundle of Arrows: Art & Concert to Stop the Pipelines!* –** **register**

Lumbee/Tuscarora singer-songwriter Charly Lowry will perform her unique blend of Americana, folk, rock, blues, and soul.
Talk by Guatemalan Water Defender Sheny Lemus - sharing stories of her experiences leading Indigenous youth and grassroots resistance to the violently imposed Escobal silver mine
All ages hands-on art-builds - materials provided!
Spoken word performances
Art gallery and installations
No pipelines postcard writing to key targets
Local food vendor

WED Oct 22 ~ Rights of Nature: Reframing Conservation through Indigenous and Community-Led Law – register

North Carolina land trusts, conservancies, community land partners, and local government allies — join to learn about Rights of Nature (RoN) as a transformative framework for conservation, rooted in Indigenous land ethics and community-based legal innovation.

THURS Oct 23 ~ Virginia 401 Certification Public Hearing RSVP

At North Carolina's 401 Certification Public Hearings last month, Virginia NoSSEP activists showed up for us; let's do the same for them! Their 401 public hearing is next Thursday, October 23rd, and they need in-person speakers! Find more information at nossep.org

Victory in Greensboro: City Council Passes Pipeline Resolution! Events coming up!

Volunteer Highlight: Regina Baratta

October Action Calendar: Stand Up for North Carolina's Water and Communities