Press Releases
Igniting a coal ash revolution: 10 years after Duke Energy’s spill into the Dan River
Largest coal ash cleanup in America followed efforts by community groups CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—Duke Energy’s spill of toxic-laden coal ash into the Dan River in North Carolina ten years ago galvanized a fight already underway...
Logging project in Nantahala National Forest violates federal law, new lawsuit alleges
ASHEVILLE, N.C — On Wednesday, a coalition of conservation groups filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service, alleging the agency’s plans to log a sensitive area of the Nantahala National Forest violate...
FEMA announces action to help states recover from disaster while reducing climate risks
WASHINGTON – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced a new policy that empowers states and localities to rebuild after disasters using energy efficient and clean energy technologies. This update to...
SELC applauds North Atlantic right whale and offshore wind strategy
WASHINGTON — Today, NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released their joint strategy "to protect and promote the recovery of North Atlantic right whales while responsibly developing offshore wind energy."...
New pilot program a win for access to residential solar energy and battery storage in North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL. N.C.– The North Carolina Utilities Commission recently approved a first of its kind pilot program that will help Duke Energy customers in North Carolina save thousands on new residential solar energy and...
Federal regulators put communities, climate at risk by rubberstamping TVA’s proposed Cumberland Pipeline
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s proposed 32-mile Cumberland Pipeline. The decision to give the green light to...
SELC statement on introduction of South Carolina energy bill (S.909)
COLUMBIA, S.C. — This week, Senator Tom Davis introduced S.909 to the South Carolina General Assembly that would encourage market competition and reform, strengthen energy efficiency programs, and set requirements for robust clean energy procurement.
EPA air pollution proposal will restrict the public’s ability to challenge unlawful permits
ATLANTA— This week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a national rule eliminating its ability to object to a state-issued Clean Air Act Title V operating permit that illegally excludes critical New Source Review (NSR)...
SELC, Mobile Baykeeper statement on Plant Barry coal ash pollution lawsuit dismissal
MOBILE, Ala.— Today the US District Court for the Southern District of Alabama dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of Mobile Baykeeper, challenging Alabama Power’s plan to permanently leave...
SELC Joins Partnership to Connect Communities to Environmental Justice Funding
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Southern Environmental Law Center has been selected to help connect communities to new funding opportunities as part of a historic federal environmental justice grantmaking program.