There are many upcoming events and actions to take between the terrible NC and federal budgets, terrible bills, plus, opportunities for comments on proposed pipelines we’ve been expecting. Starting with three online events today (Thursday), including a couple opportunities to join others in calling legislators. Gathering to make calls together makes it more fun and a chance to hear feedback. Maybe I’ll see you on one of the calls!
May 15, Holler from the Hollers
12 pm, online
Legislators are considering a massive spending and tax bill that will cut access to healthcare for millions of people and eliminate clean energy programs to pay for handouts to polluting methane gas and coal companies and billionaires. Hear what is at risk and how you can help by calling your legislators’ offices. We’ll share a script and then make phone calls together. Register here.
May 15, North Carolina: Say NO to SB 472 Call-in Party
1-1:30 pm, online
Join us for a call-in party to tell your NC legislators to say NO to SB 472, a bill that would silence our voices on projects threatening our drinking water! SB 472 would automatically approve water permits for massive infrastructure projects (like fracked gas pipelines) if the Department of Environmental Quality doesn’t review them within just *FIVE DAYS* of receiving a complete 401 application. UNACCEPTABLE! Environmental agencies are already understaffed; this effectively hands control of NC waterways to federal agencies which DON’T prioritize water quality. Register here.
May 15, Say NO DEAL to the Big Oil Giveaway
6:30 pm, online
Trump’s Billionaire budget is a disaster. It’s packed with handouts for Big Oil, tax breaks for billionaires, and funding for mass detention. How is this horrible budget being paid for? By slashing life-saving programs like Medicaid and SNAP. This is a direct attack on working families. We say No Deal on the Big Oil Billionaire Budget. Register here.
Updates on MVP Southgate
MVP developer submits Joint Permit Application for Southgate pipeline here.
“The Southgate project has a route similar to the proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project from Williams Companies’ expansion of their network of Transco pipelines. The co-location of two high-pressure, large diameter pipelines is of significant concern for local residents in the impacted counties.”
Army Corps releases public notice on Southgate 404 permithere.
“Navigating permit processes is difficult enough for communities without the added chaos and confusion created by arbitrary and baseless ‘emergency’ declarations.” ~ Russell Chisholm
Public comment period open for Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Southgate extension by Patrick Larsen here.
May 21, MVP Southgate Army Corps Comment Party
6:30 pm, online
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC has proposed a 31-mile extension of the MVP mainline, called “Southgate.” This 30” diameter, high pressure fracked-gas pipeline would begin at the terminus of MVP mainline in Chatham, VA (Pittsylvania County, Va) and continue to Rockingham County, NC. The project is currently undergoing a Joint Permit Application Review from both state and federal agencies. On April 30, 2025 a 30-day public comment period was announced for the applicant’s request for a Section 404 of the Clean Water Act permit in the Norfolk and Wilmington Districts. Join Appalachian Voices, POWHR, ARTivism Virginia and other partners to learn how to draft and submit comments in opposition to the project! Register here.
May 22, Climate in this Political Moment — What We Take Forward
7 pm, online
Final webinar in this excellent 350.org webinar series! Register here.
May 28, Utility Justice 101 with the 350 Network Council and Third Act
8 pm, online
Join this call with 350 Network Affiliates from across the country and Third Act, including founder Bill McKibben, to learn about Utility Justice. Register here.
June 7, YESA Farm Benefit Event
4 pm, Mebane, NC
Join us for an evening of community, culture, and purpose as we gather to support YESA Farm—an Indigenous-led community garden and teaching space rooted in ancestral knowledge and land stewardship. This event is all ages, and open to the wider community, especially those who may be new to 7 Directions of Service. More information and register here.
As part of the benefit, we’ll be hosting a silent auction and are asking for donations (items, services, experiences) between now and May 30th. All proceeds will support Indigenous food sovereignty and healing landwork at the 7DS YESA Farm in Mebane, NC. If you’d like to make a contribution, the form is here.
June 14, No Kings Day
No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like. On June 14 we rise up! Information about events taking place nationwide here. There are many scheduled in NC. Raleigh event here.
June 26, Public hearing on new wetlands rule
6 pm, Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh and online
Protecting wetlands is critical for our environment. More information to join virtually and make comments here.
Update on T15 Pipeline
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced they will be holding two public comment hearings for the T15 pipeline.
June 12, 6 pm, Roxboro
June 24, 6pm, Wentworth
DEQ’s press release with more information about the hearings is here.
More information about T15 here. Read Clean Water for NC’s blog T-15 Pipeline to fuel unneeded gas power plantshere.
Update on Transco Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP)
Transco applied for two air permits to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for its massive proposed methane gas pipeline.
If permitted and built, SSEP would install 55 miles of 42-inch high pressure pipeline through North Carolina and Virginia, impact nearly 1,500 acres of land, make more than 100 individual waterbody crossings in 16 watersheds, and dramatically expand two compressor stations in Iredell and Davidson Counties, North Carolina, where communities are already suffering some of the worst air pollution in the state.
The application process for SSEP’s air permits will include a public comment period, and could include public hearings. Will share more information when available.
In the meantime, keep checking this NoSSEP site here with updates on upcoming events, including a couple in Greensboro and one in Chatham, VA tomorrow, and another one in Mooresville on June 11.
More ways to TAKE ACTION!
Protect North Carolina’s water! Contact your legislators to SAY NO to SB 472 here.
Contact your NC Representative to remove Section 19 from the NC Farm Act. Protect Communities – Not Pesticide Companies! New language has been added to the NC Farm Act of 2025 that would remove the right for anyone to sue pesticide companies for harm from exposure to their chemicals. Tell them to REMOVE Section 19 of SB 639.
Congress is considering opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling in their latest government funding bill. We can’t let this happen!! Demand that Congress rejects Arctic drilling in this bill here.
‘We Need Calls Now!’ Republicans Slip Nonprofit Killer Bill Into Tax Package by Jake Johnson here. “The House is about to hand the Trump administration the ability to strip nonprofits of their 501(c)3 status without any reason or recourse. This is a five-alarm fire for nonprofits nationwide.” Tell your Representatives to oppose H.R. 9495/6408!
Tell Wells Fargo: We Won’t Let You Backslide Into Climate Chaos and Corporate Authoritarianismhere.
ARTICLES
In GOP’s Public Lands Sell-Off, The Biggest Loser Is You by Wes Siler here.
‘Oligarchy In Action’: Energy Portion of House Budget Bill Slammed as Gift to Big Oil by Eloise Goldsmith here.
“The legislation includes a provision that would allow energy developers to access an expedited permitting review if they pay $10 million or one percent of the anticipated cost of the construction of the project.”
Congress Begins Repeal of Clean Energy Tax Credits With ‘Sledgehammer Approach’ by Marianne Lavelle and Dan Gearino here.
10 Takeaways From New Report, “The High Moral Stakes: Our Budget, Our Future” from Repairers of the Breach here.
In a follow up to the Town of Carrboro’s lawsuit launched in December suing Duke Energy:
North Carolina Town Responds to Duke Energy’s Bid to Kill Climate Deception Lawsuit here.
N.C. Treasurer Names Conservative Climate Skeptic to State Utilities Commission by Lisa Sorg here.
Donald van der Vaart: North Carolina Utilities Commission nominee has history of controversy, potential conflicts by Sue Sturgis here.
Former NC Utilities Commission chair joins law firm representing Duke by Peter Castagno here.
Trump cuts will lead to more deaths in disasters, expert warns: ‘It is really scary’ by Nina Lakhani here.
100 Days: Every Harm Trump Has Done To Public Lands, The Environment, And Wildlifeby Wes Siler here.
An Insurance Crisis Compounded by Climate Change Threatens the Broader U.S. Economy by Lisa Sorg here.
Inspired NC Republicans target environmental justice, clean energy jobs and programs by Lisa Sorg here.
‘A future on our terms’: how community energy is lighting up Latin America by Constance Malleret here.
So much going on! Please remember to take care of yourselves. Thanks for taking action!
