CURRENT PRESS RELEASES

Flood of Coal Waste in TN Demonstrates Dangers and Need for Regulation, says SELC

December 23, 2008

A December 22 flood of toxic coal sludge—enough to fill 798 Olympic-size swimming pools—in Tennessee demonstrates the dangers of burning coal and underscores the need for stringent regulation of coal waste, according to the Southern Environmental Law Center.

ADEM sued for permitting coal mine that poses risk to Birmingham drinking water

December 22, 2008

Conservationists filed a lawsuit today challenging a state permit for a proposed strip coal mine in Alabama, which would discharge pollutants into the Black Warrior River, less than a quarter mile from an intake for one of Birmingham's major sources of drinking water.

Toxic Emissions from Proposed Cement Plant Merit Careful Review by State

December 19, 2008

The Southern Environmental Law Center and Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic today called for the North Carolina Division of Air Quality to conduct a careful and thorough evaluation of the proposed Titan America cement plant’s impact on communities near Wilmington, the environment and public health.

Environmental Groups Point the Way to Mercury Pollution

December 19, 2008

Today, a coalition of public health and environmental groups filed a lawsuit in federal court here, seeking a firm and enforceable new deadline for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require deep reductions in mercury and other toxic air pollutants emitted from coal- and oil-fired power plants.

Duke Requests Dubious Permits for Cliffside

December 17, 2008

Fresh from a court order forcing Duke Energy to comply with the Clean Air Act limiting air pollution from the 800-megawatt addition to its Cliffside coal-fired power plant, the company is again attempting to dodge tighter pollution controls.

Court Orders SCDOT to Answer for $150M Upper Santee Bridge

December 9, 2008

A federal appeals court refused to dismiss a lawsuit challenging South Carolina Department of Transportation studies endorsing a controversial bridge proposed for the Upper Santee Swamp.

Cliffside Must Clean Up: Court Finds Violations of Clean Air Act

December 3, 2008

A federal court ruling today will force Duke Energy to meet stringent Clean Air Act requirements for control of hazardous air pollution

Georgia Supreme Court issues decision in Cumberland Harbour case that fails to fully protect coastal marshlands

November 17, 2008

The Georgia Supreme Court today issued a ruling in a case against the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which centered on a permit granted to the developer of Cumberland Harbour.

SELC taking submissions for 14th annual writing contest

November 5, 2008

The Southern Environmental Law Center is now accepting submissions for the annual Phillip D. Reed Memorial Award for Outstanding Writing on the Southern Environment.

Multi-state coalition strongly criticizes Navy proposal for undersea warfare training range

October 29, 2008

A dozen conservation organizations - including groups from four Atlantic states - joined forces this week to criticize the Navy's analysis of the environmental impacts of a proposed undersea warfare training area and sonar range off the coast of Georgia and Florida.

Conservation groups denounce move by mining company to skirt wetlands protection laws

September 18, 2008

Nine of the state's most powerful conservation groups today condemned an attempt by PCS Phosphate Company, Inc. to get around environmental laws affecting its plans to extract phosphate ore in a mining operation that would destroy more than 4,000 acres of wetlands and five miles of streams in Beaufort County.

Conservation groups take legal action to defend trout streams, water quality in Tellico area

September 16, 2008

Conservation groups from two states today took legal action to protect water quality in the Tellico River area in the Nantahala National Forest.

Sprawl, population growth, lack of planning are among factors in Southern drought

September 12, 2008

Despite the rain from recent hurricanes that has fallen across the Southeast, much of the region remains firmly in the grip of drought conditions

SELC to testify before Congress on bill that would
reverse progress on protecting wildlife at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

September 10, 2008

After just one season of limits on beach driving at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina, several protected bird and turtle species whose numbers were dwindling are making a comeback, according to Derb Carter, Director of the SELC's Carolinas Office.

Environmental coalition files latest legal charges against Wise Co. coal plant

August 22, 2008

Today a coalition of environmental organizations filed their latest legal challenges to stop Dominion Power from building a coal-fired power plant in Wise County.

Multi-million dollar highway through Nantahala National Forest is unnecessary and environmentally damaging

August 20, 2008

Carter testifies to Senate: Legislation would undermine protection for Cape Hatteras and agreement on beach driving

July 30, 2008

Legal challenges filed against Wise County power plant

July 25, 2008

State EPD admits mistake in permitting wastewater treatment facility on McIntosh County marsh hammock

July 24, 2008

Lawsuit targets Duke’s illegal construction at Cliffside

July 16, 2008

Court of Appeals builds on lower court ruling to give stronger protections to state’s waters

July 15, 2008

Forest agency to re-start planning for the George Washington National Forest

July 9, 2008

Response to Santee Cooper's July 1, 2008 announcement regarding mercury and the 2008 Energy Generation Plan

July 1, 2008

Statement on Duke Energy’s announcement that it plans to perform a “maximum achievable” controls assessment for mercury and hazardous air pollutants at Cliffside Unit 6

June 13, 2008

South has much at stake as U.S. Senate begins historic debate on climate change legislation

June 2, 2008

State to reveiw wastewater treatment facility on McIntosh County marsh hammock

June 2, 2008

Statement on The NC Division of Air Quality’s letter requiring Duke to meet Clean Air Act standards for mercury and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs)

June 2, 2008

Forested wetlands receive landmark protections
from federal court

June 2, 2008

Tennessee ranks #1 in U.S. with most metro areas
having large carbon footprint

May 29, 2008

Bird populations on the rise at Hatteras under new plan

May 23, 2008

Forest Service threatened with lawsuit for protecting
Tellico River watershed

May 23, 2008

Corps outlines plans for largest wetland destruction
in NC history

May 23, 2008

Clean energy advocates petition Dominion Power to call off its dirty coal plant, invest in clean energy

May 8, 2008

Environmental groups to Duke: Stop illegal construction of Cliffside or face lawsuit

May 6, 2008

DOE pushes federal condemnation for coal by wire

April 30, 2008

Federal judge approves agreement to preserve wildlife and recreation opportunities on Hatteras

April 30, 2008

Environmental coalition exposes illegal mercury limits in DEQ permit for Wise County coal plant

April 21, 2008

Beach driving negotiations successful

April 16, 2008

Environmental groups take legal aim at commercial rock digging in Tennessee state park

April 14, 2008

State asked to review water quality certification for
Pee Dee River

April 11, 2008

Mercury pollution from proposed power plant in Wise County would be worse than other Dominion plants

April 2, 2008

Stories of Atlanta's hidden watershed and the destruction of Appalachian mountains win SELC awards

April 1, 2008

Virginia State Corporation Commission rules on Dominion's proposed coal-fired power plant in Wise County

March 31, 2008

Environmental groups to file suit over illegal Cliffside air permit

March 27, 2008

Dominion playing shell game with pollution impacts of Wise Co. coal plant

March 12, 2008

Dominion concedes its planned coal-fired power plant in Wise County won’t capture greenhouse gases

March 7, 2008

Nineteen groups call on North Carolina to send Cliffside’s permit back to the drawing board

March 5, 2008

Federal judge asked to restrict driving in order to save 2008 breeding season on Cape Hatteras National Seashore

February 20, 2008

Federal court ruling will send Pee Dee plant draft air permit back to the drawing board for more stringent mercury controls

February 8, 2008

Federal court ruling will send Cliffside air permit back to the drawing board for more stringent mercury controls

February 8, 2008

EPA loses federal court battle over mercury

February 8, 2008

SELC statment on NC Air permit granted for Cliffside

January 29, 2008

No Outlying Landing Field for Washington County

January 22, 2008

Coalition demands more opportunity for citizen comment on pollution permit for controversial Wise Co. power plant

January 18, 2008

Federal Government Disregarding Impacts of Coal Mining on Nation's Endangered Wildlife

January 15, 2008