Howdy!
Hope you’re enjoying this lovely fall weather. Look forward to seeing some of you at the upcoming events!
October 26, Communities Over Corporate Profit: We Won’t Pay for Pipelines and Data Centers!
2-4 pm, NC Freedom Park, 218 N. Wilmington St., Raleigh
October 26 is just a few weeks before important decisions are due on whether corporations can build a massive web of new fossil fuel infrastructure and data centers in North Carolina and could force us to pay for it. Join us for a community gathering at NC Freedom Park for an afternoon of speakers, music, art, and power building.
Why? We’re facing higher electric bills, climate disasters, and a rising cost of living. Our workers and communities deserve higher wages and healthy communities. Bring signs. No stick holding placards please! More info and register here.
More Events!
October 16, War, Climate Crisis and the Economy: Transition Security Project Launch
1 pm, online
A collaboration between Common Wealth and Climate & Community Institute to investigate the US and UK military industrial complexes. Transition Security Project will investigate the war economy, the climate impacts of war, and the geopolitical threats that US empire poses to the climate transition. Register here.
October 18, No Kings
Over 2,500 events have been registered, including over 50 in NC! Power belongs to the People! Check out the No Kings website to see where one is located near you. I’ll include a few below.
Raleigh, 12-3pm, 6200 Capital Blvd. (between Oak Forest Rd and Old Wake Forest Rd) here.
Durham, 2-4 pm, 501 Foster St, Durham here
Charlotte, 10 am-12 pm, First Ward Park, 301 E 7th St. here
October 19, Bundle of Arrows: Art & Concert to Stop the Pipelines!
2-5 pm, YESA Farm, 5123 N NC Hwy 119, Mebane, NC
Sponsored by 7 Directions of Service. As regulators determine whether to allow the proposed MVP Southgate and Transco SSEP methane pipelines to move forward in North Carolina, we’re gathering impacted communities and allies for Bundle of Arrows, an afternoon of education, art and musical performances.
*Musical performance by Lumbee/Tuscarora singer-songwriter Charly Lowry
*Talk by Guatemalan Water Defender Sheny Lemus – sharing stories of her experiences leading Indigenous youth and grassroots resistance to the violently imposed Escobal silver mine.
Register here.
October 25, Every Drop Counts
1:30-4:30 pm, Village Inn Hotel. 6205 Ramada Drive, Clemmons
Join Clean Water for NC’s annual meeting, Every Drop Counts: Working for Safe Water, Energy Justice & Stopping AI from Smashing Climate Progress. Register here.
November 2, Truthsgiving
2-6 pm, The Fruit, 305 S Dillard St, Durham
7 Directions of Service’s 4th annual Truthsgiving is a family-friendly event that uplifts the untold historical truths of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, and amplifies Indigenous resistance and visions for the future. This year’s themes include: Rematriation, Rights of Nature, and Indigenous Solutions to the Climate Crisis. Register here.
Nov. 13th & Nov.18th: Air Permit Public Hearings for the SSEP Pipeline
The NC Department Environmental Quality has announced two public hearings in regard to air quality permit modifications for compressor stations 150 and 155 (located in Mooresville and Lexington). NCDEQ cannot ignore – as Transco did – the fact that PM2.5 pollution is already high in the communities where Transco proposes to build SSEP. Transco’s proposed expansion of Compressor Stations 150 and 155 would result in increased emissions of several harmful air pollutants. More information about the public hearings here. Talking points here.
ACTIONS TO TAKE
Take a Stand for a Fair Energy System!
Tell your legislators to take a stand to not take “toxic money” from Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, or Enbridge here.
The Utility Fairness NOW campaign is launching an effort to share the experiences of North Carolinians who are struggling with electricity billing issues, high energy prices, and issues with reliable electricity access. You can participate in the survey here. The Spanish-language survey can be found here.
Smart Solar Permitting Campaign
To: Mayors, City Councils, County Commissioners, and Local Executives:
Implement policies that remove barriers to clean energy access for all residents and businesses. Streamline outdated and costly permitting processes and make rooftop solar easier and cheaper to adopt locally—without waiting for shifts in federal politics here.
UPDATES
Update on the Town of Carboro’s lawsuit against Duke Energy
*Is Duke Energy Liable for Climate-Related Property Damage After Funding Denialist Campaigns? by Lisa Sorg here.
Duke Energy’s new (TERRIBLE!) Carbon Plan/IRP was released on October 1st here. The gas appendix is 24 pages here A couple articles:
*In Its New Carbon Plan, Duke Energy Gambles on Coal as a Shorter-Term Fix for Powering Data Centers by Lisa Sorg here.
*Duke Energy backs off renewables after North Carolina cuts climate goal: The state repealed the utility’s 2030 emissions target in July. Duke’s response? A plan to slash solar and wind, double down on gas — and burn more coal. By Elizabeth Ouzts here.
Greensboro Passes Resolution of Concern over SSEP Pipeline by Aidan Loretz here.
ARTICLES and VIDEOS
Some things I said during Climate Week by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson here.
A Short-Lived Win in a Never-Ending Fight Over Forever Chemicals by Lisa Sorg here.
Protecting Puffins in Maine Is an Emotional Commitment by Derrick Jackson here.
“Our observations of the terns show us how the impacts of climate change can cascade in interesting and often horrifying ways.”
From Rep. Rashida Tlaib: 2025 resources to defend immigrants and other neighbors here.
Global Climate Targets Show Renewables Rising by Andreas Sieber here.