Southern Environmental Law Center

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s recent approval of a massive liquefied natural gas export project in the rural fishing community of Cameron Parish, Louisiana, epitomizes FERC’s regulatory failures. SELC’s Megan Gibson penned this op-ed in Utility Dive showcasing how unchecked corporate practices can harm local communities, distort markets, and undermine trust in our regulatory institutions: “It’s time for FERC to act decisively: stop greenlighting LNG projects without proper scrutiny, reestablish its commitment to accountability, and safeguard our economy, communities, and fragile ecosystems from the consequences of unchecked industrial expansion. The stakes couldn’t be higher — and the public deserves better.” Read more about this reckless project known as CP2 LNG: https://selc.link/3Or8rD7 #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateAction #ClimateChange #LNG #FERC #EnvironmentalPolicy

As?we approach this season of gratitude, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible progress we've made together this year — thanks to supporters like you. Because of your dedication to this work our air, water, public lands, wildlife, and communities are safer and healthier. You took action with us to tackle our region’s?toughest environmental challenges at a critical time and for that we are grateful. See the progress you've made possible in 2024 by watching this short video: https://lnkd.in/emnv43gE

On Election Day in Charleston County and Nashville, voters chose communities. Nashville voters overwhelmingly approved a major transportation investment, giving the green light to opportunities to transform how people in Middle Tennessee get around. Among other things, the funding will create new rapid bus lanes and increase frequency of bus services, install hundreds of 'smart' traffic lights to reduce congestion, build sidewalks, and open 12 new regional transit centers: https://selc.link/49e9ekr In Charleston County, voters defeated a 25-year transportation sales tax referendum that prioritized funding for the Mark Clark or I-526 Extension. This controversial new highway would plow through James Island County Park, destroy wetlands, pollute waterways, and cut through historic Black communities: https://selc.link/3CLIn3a #Transportation #Planning #ClimateChange

"This shocking bill by Republican legislators is a post-election wolf in sheep's clothing to take power and control of state leadership away from the people of North Carolina." - Mary Maclean Asbill, Director of SELC's North Carolina Offices. Learn more: https://selc.link/491yF8K

“We have hardly begun to understand how inextricably our health and safety are intertwined with those of our wild neighbors.” Thanks to Margaret Renkl for mentioning SELC, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice, Environmental Defense Fund, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Sierra Club as organizations to support to help protect our planet’s “vanishing treasures.” Read Margaret Renkl’s call to action to safeguard our wildlife and support the organization’s working so hard to protect them: https://lnkd.in/dQs582zm #Wildlife #ClimateChange #EndangeredSpecies #EndangeredSpeciesAct

GREAT NEWS: Tennessee’s Duck River, an iconic natural resource that was recently listed as one of the nation’s most endangered rivers, now has a new layer of protection from the state’s top office. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dYwjGCC7 #Conservation #ClimateChange #ClimateAction

We’re standing up for the Nolichucky River and the communities that depend on it. On behalf of American Rivers and American Whitewater, we're suing federal agencies to stop CSX Transportation from mining the Nolichucky’s riverbed. Instead of using upland quarries to supply the material needed to repair the rail line damaged by Hurricane Helene, CSX is extracting rock directly from the river, causing severe damage, risking local businesses, and increasing flood risks downstream. “We want CSX to be able to quickly rebuild its damaged rail lines, but it needs to do so in a responsible way that follows the law and protects our communities.” - Patrick Hunter, Managing Attorney of SELC’s Asheville office. The Nolichucky is a cherished river, drawing tourists and supporting local economies in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Let's keep it that way, learn more: https://lnkd.in/dAcBQ_3r

BREAKING: We just got a huge climate win for Virginia. A circuit court judge has confirmed that the decision to pull Virginia out of a successful climate program known as RGGI, or the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, was unlawful. Virginia participated in RGGI from 2021-2023 and during that time Virginians experienced huge benefits: - In just three years, Virginia’s power plant emissions dropped by more than 22 percent. - The state received $827M to help communities plan for and become more resilient to floods, and also help low-income households reduce their energy bills. Learn more and read the full opinion: https://selc.link/40Xsmkt #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #CleanEnergy #EnvironmentalLaw #EnvironmentalPolicy

A facility run by Elon Musk’s xAI is spewing harmful air pollution in South Memphis, worsening air quality and endangering families living in the predominantly Black neighborhoods nearby. Now, community members are calling for accountability and urging local leaders to take action. Learn more: https://selc.link/3V0Wxnj Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht #xAI #DataCenter #DataCenters #EnvironmentalJustice

TAKE ACTION: Across North Carolina, communities are suffering from the impacts of harmful dust from the wood pellet industry. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality needs to listen to these local communities and control this pollution. Enviva, the largest wood pellet manufacturer in the world, has been harming those located near their facilities with dust pollution for years. Residents should not have to live with dust buildup on their homes, cars, and property. This hazardous dust can enter the lungs and bloodstream. It can cause health issues such as respiratory illness, heart disease, and cancer. Take action with our partners Dogwood Alliance and ask DEQ to make Enviva fix their dust pollution: https://lnkd.in/euDtQF7X #EnvironmentalJustice #Biomass #Woodpellet #AirPollution