Press Releases
Federal Agency Reconsiders Approval for Monroe Bypass
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has informed federal and state agencies that it is reconsidering its approval of the proposed Monroe Bypass near Charlotte due to misinformation in the environmental analysis concluding there would...
Conservation Groups Denounce Approval of Coal Mine Permit
The Alabama Environmental Management Commission (EMC) today unanimously voted to approve a permit issued for the Shepherd Bend coal mine, a 1,773-acre strip mine to be located less than 1,000 feet from Birmingham's primary drinking...
Lawsuit Challenges Clean Air Act Exemption for Biomass Burners
Conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging an Environmental Protection Agency rule that exempts large-scale biomass-burning facilities from carbon dioxide limits under the Clean Air Act for the next three years.
Groups Urge MPO to Drop Northern Beltline From Local Transportation Plan
Two local groups have asked the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to remove the Northern Beltline from the proposed four-year funding plan because of the project's ballooning price tag, questionable economic benefits and harmful effects on...
Draft Air Permit for Titan Cement Plant Merits Scrutiny
Conservation groups will examine closely a draft air permit for the proposed Titan cement plant issued today by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and encourage the public to participate in the upcoming...
SELC Statement on Charlottesville-Albemarle MPO Vote to Approve 29 Bypass
"SELC and most others in this community believe the 29 bypass is the wrong project for solving traffic on Route 29, but one thing nearly everyone agrees on is that it shouldn't go forward without...
Report Shows 29 Bypass Would Drive Up Cost, Complexity of Berkmar Drive Extended
Building the 29 Bypass as it is currently designed will make it much more complicated and costly to build Berkmar Drive Extended, one of Albemarle County's top priorities to reduce traffic on Route 29, according...
SELC Says Albemarle County Must Obtain Clear Commitments Before Entering 29 Bypass Deal
In a letter to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors today, the Southern Environmental Law Center set forth the county's obligations to clarify and formally vote on commitments the state would have to meet before...
Va. Transportation Board Shifts Funds to Build Controversial Charlottesville Bypass
The Commonwealth Transportation Board, in a dramatic alteration to the statewide long-range transportation funding plan it passed just last month, voted today to earmark almost $200 million to build the controversial Route 29 Bypass of...
U.S. House Tosses 40 Years of Clean Water Protections
The House of Representatives passed a bill today that would gut long-standing protections under the 40-year Clean Water Act that keep America’s drinking water, rivers, lakes, wetlands and coasts clean and healthy. Passed by a...