Save the DateS! Pipeline updates and upcoming events.
Hi folks! WOW! What a year this has been! With the winter weather, I am feeling ready to slow down and rest. I hope we all can connect with Nature showing us we must balance expending the energy needed for these fights against fossil fuels and taking the dedicated time for respite. So ahead of the weekend, let's jump right into the many updates and important information I have to share regarding the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) and other issues connected to the unjust fossil fuel buildout happening across our home state.
SSEP Updates
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) will release decisions on BOTH the Water and Air Permits on Friday, December 19th.
We're targeting Governor Stein to use the power he has between now and then to encourage denial of these permits!
This weekend: Please fill out this form and use the sample text below asking him to deny permits. (Imagine Governor Stein getting hundreds of messages like this over the course of this weekend!)
Be on the lookout! The NoSSEP coalition across North Carolina and Virginia has social media campaigns targeting Governor Stein planned for 12/16 & 12/18. There will be an easy-to-call-in number that will patch you through to his office to leave a message. Keep an eye on HRA socials!
Sample message to Governor Stein using this form:
Dear Governor Stein,
I have seen local governments such as Midway, Guilford County, Greensboro, and Forsyth County express concern and ask FERC to deny Transco's proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project a Certificate, and I join those voices.
I am concerned about the proposed gas pipeline buildout in the South, which is unnecessary and would harm natural resources and communities. The construction of this project would pollute waterways and harm habitat for aquatic species along the pipeline route. Notably, the proposed SSEP crosses waterways in the Jordan Lake and Randleman Lake watersheds, which together provide drinking water for more than one million North Carolinians. In addition, portions of the SSEP pipeline would be co-located with Mountain Valley Pipeline's proposed Southgate project, which would exacerbate water quality impacts.
I am also concerned that Transco has not proposed to install electric motor-driven compressors at Stations 150 and 155 in North Carolina, as it has done in Virginia, Alabama, and South Carolina, and instead proposes to install polluting methane gas-fired combustion turbines. FERC needs to thoroughly analyze the project's air quality impacts, including on communities near the compressor stations that are already overburdened by pollution.
Please deny the project air and water permits for this unneeded proposed methane pipeline.
Thank you,
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has pushed back its date for final decision on SSEP to February 5th.
Upcoming NoSSEP Events
Monday, December 8th ~ Support Our Allies in Davidson County!
After the Davidson Board of County Commissioners passed a rushed, misinformed resolution supporting the SSEP last year at the behest of Transco-Williams, community members have been pushing back for over a year. Their efforts have paid off!
Thanks to hundreds of community members participating in public comments and outreach to the Board (and the encouraging work of folks in Midway, Guilford, Forsyth, and Greensboro—shout out to all of you!), this Monday, Dec. 8, the Davidson County Commissioners will very likely pass a resolution expressing concerns about SSEP, but the people demand it be as strong as possible.
Davidson folks would love to have a large number of people give public comments at the meeting on Monday to encourage them to represent their concerns in the resolution before it's up for discussion. Plus, they'd love a big showing of support to signal how meaningful passing a resolution is!
We need your support to encourage the Commissioners to pass a strong resolution that represents community members' concerns. Come to the meeting in Lexington and give a public comment! Here are some points we want the Commissioners to add:
Ask Transco for a detailed description of electrification alternatives for Compressor Station 155 near Lexington and require Transco to use electric turbines, which would significantly reduce the level of on-site air pollution.
Require an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act that evaluates all potential risks and alternatives to the proposed pipeline project, including a "no action" alternative.
When/Where: Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m., Davidson County Governmental Center, 4th floor - 913 Greensboro Street, Lexington, NC
Your presence, whether or not you give a comment, will show the County Commissioners how many people stand behind this action and support them passing a resolution.
If you have any questions, reach out to Crystal with Clean Water for North Carolina at Crystal@cwfnc.org.
Tuesday, December 16th ~ Communities Over Pipelines! Join us for the Pipeline Fighters' Celebration on Dec. 16th!
Been curious about connecting with other directly impacted folks? Have you met someone at a meeting from Forsyth, Davidson, Rockingham, etc., and are curious how they're doing? Seen the name of an organizer in the NoSSEP coalition but haven't met them in person? Please, please, please come on out to our upcoming end-of-year gathering!
Together we are stronger, and together we will win. And we won several small victories throughout this past year that would not have happened without each and every one of you.
We hope folks will save the date and join us at our December 16th Pipeline Fighters' Celebration, a celebration and reflection on the work of our communities. We'll gather with folks across all the North Carolina communities impacted by SSEP, T-15, and the MVP Southgate pipeline, celebrate our wins, and enjoy getting to know each other.
Communities Over Pipelines! Join us for the Pipeline Fighters' Celebration
Located at: etc.gso community collective, 1333 Grove St, Greensboro, NC 27403
Date: Tuesday, December 16th
From: 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/3s23b2bj
On Tuesday, December 16th, the NoSSEP Coalition will be hosting a gathering for all those who have been involved in the collective efforts to keep the SSEP and MVP Southgate pipelines out of our state. Meet impacted landowners, organizers from across the state, and other community members who are plugged in as we reflect on the victories of the past year and discuss our next moves as a coalition. Potluck style! In the spirit of the season as we gather together, feel free to bring a sweet treat or other snack to share with others!
Make sure to check nossep.org to get the latest and greatest!
Mark your calendars: Saturday, February 28th ~ Communities Over Corporate Profits: How We Win!
Earlier this year, our coalition co-hosted an event titled Communities Over Corporate Profits, where we connected the fight against fossil fuels to ongoing efforts for social justice across our state—it was a huge success!
We began a campaign directly targeting Governor Stein and connected our concerns to the concerns of other communities fighting for justice for the people of our state.
Mark the date on your calendars for "Part 2"! We will have storytellers from North Carolina communities who have successfully fought back against corporations and hear how we as a state are building resilience in the face of the climate crisis. Join us for some celebration and dreaming of what's possible when we work in solidarity!
Other Upcoming Community Events
Sunday, December 7th ~ No Data Centers in Stokes County!
On Thursday, December 4th, over 50 folks crammed into the Stokes County Planning Board Meeting to witness the Board vote AGAINST approving the proposal for a massive data center proposed to be built over sacred Saura land in Stokes County!
This is a huge victory, but the opposition doesn't stop there! The Board of Commissioners ultimately approves or denies.
Join us for a community meeting on Sunday, Dec. 7! Learn more about data centers and how the Stokes County community can push back against this data center proposal.
The Dec. 7th meeting will be from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Walnut Cove Public Library (106 West Fifth Street, Walnut Cove, NC 27052). Let us know you'll be there by registering here: Stokes County Community Meeting: Say NO to Proposed Data Centers - Action Network
Thursday, December 11th and Monday, December 15th ~ Film Screening on Duke Energy
NC WARN, 350 Triangle, and the People's Alliance Fund collaborated on a short film titled: The True Cost of Power: Duke Energy's Climate Deception.
There are two upcoming screenings! This will be a great opportunity to learn more about the role Duke Energy plays in keeping our state trapped in fossil fuel dependency.
Thursday, December 11, at Durham Friends Meeting ~ register for the Durham screening
Monday, December 15, at Raleigh United Mutual Aid Hub ~ register for the Raleigh screening
Monday, December 15th ~ Virtual Policy Workshop: Understanding & Moving Beyond "Dillon's Rule" in the NC General Assembly
Did you know that NC is a "Dillon's Rule" state? Do you know what "Dillon's Rule" means?
Join Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck with 7 Directions of Service for a virtual policy workshop on the implications of Dillon's Rule, which limits local governments to act only in ways that the NC General Assembly has specifically authorized.
Let's envision a North Carolina beyond the restrictions imposed by Dillon's Rule! RSVP here!
Monday, December 15th ~ Tell Lee County Commissioners: No Fracking, No Drilling, No Data Centers
Deep River Data wants to power an AI data center by drilling for gas from Butler Well #3 in Lee County. It is likely that to get enough gas from the well, they would need to start fracking.
Fracking and a data center would be serious threats to our drinking water wells, the Deep River, and our children's health.
Phew! What a list. As always, if you're feeling overwhelmed—welcome to the club! Maybe choose one thing to go to? (I'd suggest the 12/16 Pipeline Fighters' Celebration.) But please, do take at least one of these actions or attend one of these events. I promise, putting a bit of time and energy toward standing in solidarity with your community will have a greater impact than any single one of us could envision.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we will win.
As always, this is Aidan wishing community care, light, and love.
Take care of yourselves and each other,
~ Aidan Loretz (they/them, she/her)
aidan@hawriver.org