Howdy!
Spring is on the way, which means an even busier season of events and actions are taking place, including two online events tonight!
March 11, Vanguard and the Mountain Valley Pipeline
7 pm, online
Hear from frontline voices along the pipeline and a summary of the resistance that has been over 10 years going, as well as presentation on the recently released report addressing how Asset Managers are funding destructive projects, specifically Vanguard and the Mountain Valley Pipeline. With Crystal Cavalier, Denali Nalamalapu, and more. Register here.
March 11, Halting the Harm: Transco Williams and the LNG issues across the Southeast
7:30 pm, online
Hosted by 7 Directions of Service, learn about the new proposed Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) Pipeline. (I mentioned the announcement of this unneeded pipeline in last month’s email!) Those in its path include many of the same families, waterways, and Sacred Places already at risk by the proposed MVP Southgate. Learn about the many methane proposals we are suddenly fighting in NC! Register here.
March 16, No SSEP Pipeline Canvassing
9:30 am – 2 pm, Freedom Park, Shelter #2, 121 N. Edgewood Road, Eden, NC
Hosted by 7 Directions of Service, help to inform and mobilize rural community members against the recently proposed Transco SSEP Pipeline, whose emissions would equal 16 coal plants, and is the largest East Coast methane pipeline proposed in a decade.
We have a chance to stop the pipeline by mobilizing impacted community members, leaders, and decision makers to oppose the methane pipeline. Canvassing is our most effective tool to reach folks. Before the shift, you will be trained in canvassing techniques, talking points, and data collection to help stop the harmful, unnecessary SSEP from ever being built. Register here.
Two articles with information about these proposed projects:
Three large natural gas pipeline projects are proposed for NC: where they are and what’s next by Lisa Sorg here.
Pipeline expansion plan runs through Pittsylvania County by Matt Busse here.
March 6-19, Transco Public Meeting
Transco is hosting several information sessions about its proposed pipeline (SSEP) and compressor station units in NC as part of its push for a rapid fossil fuel expansion in the region. These sessions are an opportunity to ask questions of the company representatives and share your concerns. The virtual open house will be held on March 18 from 6-7 pm. More information with dates and locations here.
March 13, Shaping the Carbon Plan Through Community Engagement
11 am -12 pm, online
Another reminder of the webinar Clean Aire NC is hosting about the upcoming April Carbon Plan hearings! Register by TODAY (March 11). Register here. The NC Utility Commission has scheduled five public witness hearings to receive testimony on Duke’s proposed 2023 Carbon Plan and Integrated Resource Plan (CPIRP). Link with more information that includes dates and locations of the April public hearings. here. The Durham public hearing will take place on April 30 at Durham County Courthouse. More info next month about a rally before the 7 pm hearing!
March 13, Responsible Investing
7 pm, online
Hosted by Green America, join to explore socially responsible investing, ESG criteria, responsible investment options, integrating sustainable funds into retirement accounts, and finding a financial advisor passionate about sustainable investing. Register here.
March 20, Film Screening: Common Ground
6:30-9:30 pm, Rialto Theater, 1620 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
Burkett Farm is partnering with Rialto to host this follow up to the Kiss the Grounddocumentary, and focuses heavily on some of the leaders of regenerative farming. After the screening, there will be a panel discussion with some local farmers and advocates. Register here.
March 23, World Water Day
12-4 pm, Umstead Park, 399 Umstead Drive, Chapel Hill
Hosted by the Raging Grannies and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – Triangle, join organizations and water lovers to celebrate World Water Day with speakers and water activities. Each year since 1993 the United Nations has encouraged countries all over the globe to observe and celebrate World Water Day.
Hosted by the Raging Grannies and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – Triangle, join organizations and water lovers to celebrate World Water Day with speakers and water activities. Each year since 1993 the United Nations has encouraged countries all over the globe to observe and celebrate World Water Day.
March 27, Solar Simplified: Sharing the Benefits and Tackling Concerns About Solar
7-8 pm, online
Hosted by Appalachian Voices, “Solar Simplified” is a three-part webinar series where we will discuss misinformation surrounding solar energy, how to access solar for your home, and how community-driven solar projects can bring a wide range of benefits to your locality. Register here.
April 3, Better Banking
7 pm, online
Hosted by Green America, learn about Wall Street’s role in the climate crisis, your bank account’s carbon footprint, identifying fossil fuel investments, finding community-minded banks, and switching institutions. Register here.
Save the dates!
March 30, Landback Day, Mebane
May 8, Special Earth Witness Wednesday — protesting the MVP, as part of the global actions for Faiths For Climate Justice, Charlotte
May 30 – June 2, Rights of Nature Weekend
Jerome
Appalachians Against Pipelines has been holding different actions along the path of the Mountain Valley Pipeline in VA and WV, where several people have been arrested over the years. One of those in November was Jerome Wagner, from 350 Charlotte, who locked himself to a drill to stop the construction of the MVP under the Elk River in WV. Jerome was sentenced to 2 months in jail (Feb 7 – April 7). You can support Jerome by sending him a card or letter to:
Jerome Wagner #3691742
Central Regional Jail, WV
PO Box 336
Phoenix, MD 21131
You can also make a donation to the Appalachian Legal Defense Fund to support Jerome and others here.
Actions to Take!
Congress Must Pass Wetlands Protections
About 40% of the world’s animals and plants depend on wetlands for survival. A third of America’s threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands. Last year, a US Supreme Court ruling narrowed the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). Wetlands that were once regulated are now at risk. Tell Congress to expand WOTUS to protect wetlands and the wildlife that depends on them here.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a terrible new proposal that would loosen its oversight of polluters. It could give oil refineries, factories, and fossil fuel extractors a free pass to poison the air, putting people and wildlife at risk. Tell the EPA to Stand Up to Polluters here!
Tell the Biden Administration and the Department of Justice: We demand the Juliana 21 be heard at trial. Don’t let the DOJ silence youth voices here.
Articles, Recordings, and Videos
Two blogs about the beautiful Water Walk last month:
Water Walk Gratitude by Jason Crazy Bear Campos-Keck here.
Recording of the excellent virtual #StopMVP Rally to Expose Regulatory Agency Failure last month.
The latest on Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate, The Front Porch Blog by Jessica Sims, here.
“Even as Mountain Valley Pipeline’s rushed construction results in landslides and muddy waters in Virginia and concerned residents call for state and federal authorities to stop the damage, communities to the south are facing new and changing threats from the pipeline’s proposed Southgate extension.”
A Tribute to Bill Limpert: Virginia Tree Protector and Pipeline Fighter by Mike Tidwell here.
Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network released this awesome video Women Ending the Era of Fossil Fuels & Building a Just Transition on International Women’s Day here.
The World We Need
Casey Camp’s Story of the Ponca Tribe & Fighting to Protect the Rights of Nature. The video details the impacts of colonization and extraction on the Ponca community and territories, and how Casey is working to restore the land and communities, and protect the Rights of Nature. Video here.
What Would a Better Plastics Industry Look Like? by Kate Aronoff here.
Plastic recycling is a scam by Arielle Samuelson here
Finding Steady Ground in Wild Places by Tom Hadley here.
Our ability to cope with distressing emotions in an adaptive way is known as our emotional resilience. In A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety Sarah Ray discusses how “the way ahead will require not just the science of climate, but the science of emotions, to help us balance apathy, fear, and despair with efficacy, compassion, and desire.”
Thanks for reading and for taking action! Peace and love for our beautiful Earth, Karen