North Carolina

Climate action

Limiting heat-trapping carbon pollution is key to addressing climate change, which communities across North Carolina are already experiencing. SELC is advancing a strong N.C. Carbon Plan to reduce Duke Energy’s carbon pollution, while also pushing for more solar energy and energy efficiency solutions. At the same time, SELC is working with Governor Cooper’s administration to limit carbon pollution from the transportation sector.

Industrial Chemical Pollution in our Water

With little oversight, forever chemicals like PFAS, 1,4 dioxane have become a scourge in North Carolina waters. SELC led the effort to turn off the pollution tap at Chemours plant in the Cape Fear River, the drinking water source for about 500,000 people, and continues to push for enforcement and stronger protections at state and federal levels.

Pollution from industrial animal operations

From noxious odors to poorly managed waste, North Carolina’s massive industrial animal operations have an outsized impact on communities. Industrial hog operations disproportionately harm Black and Latino communities in eastern North Carolina. SELC works closely with residents and partners to stop pollution and advocate for the most protective policies against pollution possible.

Biomass energy in the South

The misguided urge to count burning trees for fuel “carbon-neutral” in the European Union has led to companies looking to convert forests and wetlands across the southeast into wood pellets. SELC’s efforts led to stricter air pollution controls at plants in North Carolina. Now SELC is helping to elevate community concerns about harmful fugitive dust pollution from wood pellet mills and urging the state to require that each pellet mill significantly reduce its dust emissions.