Hope you’re enjoying the fall weather! I’m starting this newsletter with a couple of critical actions that need to be taken.
TAKE ACTION and STOP the Latest Dirty Deal!
The terribly named Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA) is a back-door dirty deal that could unleash a mass buildout of AI data centers and the polluting gas pipelines and power plants that fuel them, while stripping communities, states, and Tribes of the tools to push back. They’re racing to pass this deal on November 9th, immediately after the Senate reconvenes next month.
From People vs Fossil Fuels: “The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 is a back-door deal that represents a massive power grab by Big Tech and the fossil fuel industry. If it becomes law, this bill would gut key aspects of foundational environmental laws like the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act. In doing so, it would all but ensure data centers and fossil fuel projects will be approved regardless of community opposition.”
Send a email to your members of Congress here.
Call your members of Congress:
Find their phone number here. Leaving a message counts too.
Sample script:
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I live in [CITY, or “your district”]. I am calling to ask [REP NAME] to reject the so-called “permitting reform” bill, which would be the biggest rollback in environmental protections we have ever seen, and is a clear giveaway to data centers and the fossil fuel industry. Passing this reform would reward toxic and polluting industries while cutting the ability of vulnerable communities and tribes from opposing bad projects. Stand with the people and reject permitting reform.
Join this webinar to learn more:
October 30, Protecting Indigenous Lands and Cultural Sites from Deregulation in the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Acts
1 pm, online
Hear from Tribal leaders and Federal Indian Policy experts about how the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act would undermine important government-to-government Tribal consultation practices, leave Tribal lands and waterways unprotected, and take away Tribal Nations’ right to protect sacred and cultural sites. Register here.
More than 100 Environmental, Faith and Labor Groups Urge Senators Heinrich and Whitehouse to Reject Permitting Bill Ahead of November 9 Vote press release here.
Tell Regulators: Not one step BACK on FRACKING!
Nov 4, Oil & Gas Commissioners’ Meeting
9 am, (online or virtual), Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh
Scroll down to find the agenda and virtual link to join here.
Right now, a public comment period is open where you can weigh in on whether NC’s fracking rules are “necessary” or “unnecessary”. These rules are VERY necessary. We can’t afford to have NC’s fracking rules weakened in any way! North Carolina is still frack-free thanks to these current strong rules in place; it’s important that the Commission keeps it that way!
Speak in person on the 4th or share comments by email before Nov 9th.
1.) Email: [email protected]
2.) Put this in the subject line (so they know which rules you are commenting on): 15A NCAC 05H
3.) In your comment, say that all the fracking rules are necessary!
4.) Add why you personally care about this and send!
If you live in a county that’s vulnerable to fracking (including Lee, Chatham, Moore, Stokes, Rockingham, and Granville) it’s important to attend. Three new commissioners have been appointed and this is their first meeting. More info and talking points from Clean Water for NC (CWFNC) will be shared here.
*Also, sign this CWFNC petition to the Commissioners here.
Upcoming Events
October 28-November 25, Nuclear Campaign Webinar Series
Wednesdays at 6 pm through November 25th
Hosted by Honor the Earth, the webinar dives into the ways that nuclear is a false solution to the climate and energy crisis. Nuclear is a threat to Indigenous Peoples and lands, with deep connection to the AI Death Cycle and the Military Industrial Complex. Register here.
November 13, Gen X The Film
7 pm, Haw River Ballroom, 1711 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd., Saxapahaw
Join the premiere of the documentary, GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals. This documentary follows people that were impacted by PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear area of NC. From Paperhand Puppet Project: “We were delighted to bring the art and power of puppetry to this film to help tell the stories of people that are challenging how corporations are polluting our communities.” The screening will be followed by a short Q&A with the filmmakers – Ethereal Films, and Paperhand Puppet’s executive director, Donovan Zimmerman. You’ll also hear from partners at 7 Directions of Service, Haw River Assembly and Clean Water for NC. Register here.
November 17, Keeping Fracking Out and Reining Fracking In: Protecting Public Health with New Research Dat
12 pm, online
Lean about new data on detrimental health effects, including birth defects, drawn from a recent update to the fracking science Compendium by Concerned Health Professionals of New York. (The awesome Dr Sandra Steingraber who we co-hosted in Chapel Hill in 2017, has been a part of this research since it began.) Hear how researchers and frontline communities are working together to turn evidence into protection. Very connected to our work above on the comments to the NC Oil and Gas Commission! RSVP here.
MORE ACTIONS!
Tell NC DEQ: Full Review and a Public Hearing for Enbridge’s Chatham Pipelinehere.
Pledge to Protect Our Indigenous Ancestors from the Enbridge Pipelinehere.
Tell the NC Utilities Commission: Don’t Make Customers Pay for an Unneeded Pipeline here.
Demand a Moratorium on Data Centers in North Carolinahere.
Tell Congress: Urge EPA to Bring Back Solar for All here.
Congress: Protect our Right to Protest Climate-wrecking fossil fuel projectshere.
Stop reckless drilling in the Western Arctichere.
Last day of early voting is October 31 by 3 pm. If you’ve voted early, or if you vote on November 3rd, you can check your ballot status and voter status in NC at this link here.
Vote Against NC Amendments 2 & 3 – Blog from Clean Water for North Carolina here.
If interested, you can sign up for the NC AI Data Center Accountability Network here.
ARTICLES and RECORDINGS
‘We’re asking for time’: Chatham County residents call for statewide pause on data centers here.
For water and jobs: Durham residents ask for a statewide pause on new data centers by Emilia Rivadeneira here.
Check out this new program called Electrify the Triangle, a free program that helps homeowners and renters make their homes more energy efficient and affordable here.
Charlotte extends its data center moratorium for 11 months by Zachary Turner here.
ACLU sent a letter to Senators regarding the so-called permitting bill increasing the development of ICE detention centers here.
21 States Sue EPA to Reinstate Climate Pollution Rules for Power Plants by Lisa Sorg here.
The Locations of North Carolina’s Industrial Poultry Farms Have Been a Secret—Until Now by Lisa Sorg here.
Air pollution linked to higher risk of glaucoma and cataracts, study finds by Vishwam Sankaran here.
Thanks for taking action! Take care of yourselves! Peace and love for our beautiful Earth, Karen