Staying Resilient in the Fight for Our Water
Happy Friday. As we prepare for the end of Winter and the incoming weather, it’s a good time to remind ourselves how we can survive the harsh storms of both Nature and the world around us. Deep breaths. One thing at a time. Celebrate the small victories. Hold love close. There’s heavy news today mixed with some hope for the future.
Review of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) Authorization of the 401 Water Permit for the Transco-Williams Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP)
NCDEQ has granted the SSEP the essential water permit it needs to move forward in the approval process. This is incredibly disappointing news. Organizers and attorneys have reviewed the authorization and found little to no additional conditions added to protect NC waterways. While NCDEQ may state that they hold Transco-Williams accountable with this permit, the NoSSEP coalition does not think it does nearly enough to protect waterways in North Carolina.
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.
With this authorization, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will likely approve the entire SSEP project. Our coalition is preparing our next steps of community support in the wake of this expected approval. Stay tuned for how you can stay involved in the fight to protect our neighbors, our Water, and our futures.
Want to voice your frustration and disappointment? Email me at aidan@hawriver.org, and I can help you with a letter to the editor and/or comments to local elected officials. We need voices of frustration to be heard by our state leadership!
Climate Resiliency Curriculum
How do we give young people the tools and knowledge to build resilient communities in the face of climate change?
The 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.
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? Tune in to HRA socials next week for detailed program information, or email aidan@hawriver.org to learn more and register.
Program Sneak Peek: 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
Upcoming Solidarity Event March 8, 2026: Learn about Organizing Victories Across our State
Mark Sunday, March 8th, on your calendars for our broad solidarity effort of “Communities Over Corporate Profits Part 2: How We Win”! We will have storytellers from North Carolina communities who have successfully fought back against corporations, and we will hear how we, as a state, are building resiliency in the face of the climate crisis. Join us in Durham for some celebration, dreaming of what’s possible when we work in solidarity, and taking action steps to make those dreams a reality
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)