Press Releases
Conservation groups ask court to protect migratory bird sanctuary from toxic chemical application
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Conservation groups today asked a federal court to protect an iconic sanctuary for migratory birds from a government plan to spread a chemical that could harm and kill birds. On behalf...
Groups reach settlement in South Carolina Duke Energy rate increase case
Agreement will expand low-income assistance and energy efficiency COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, multiple groups reached a settlement with Duke Energy in its request to the Public Service Commission to raise rates about 20%, reducing the...
FERC finalizes transmission rule
WASHINGTON — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its final rule on regional transmission planning and cost allocation today. The rule overhauls the process by which utilities across the country plan transmission expansion necessary...
Conservation groups move to defend remaining federal wetlands protections from attack
Wetlands that shelter wildlife and protect communities are at risk CHAPEL HILL, N.C.— On behalf of the National Wildlife Federation and the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed in the U.S.
City Council OKs plan for a more walkable Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Today Birmingham’s City Council voted to approve the Right Size Parking Initiative and amendments to eliminate outdated mandatory parking minimums, increase bicycle parking, and encourage large developments to incentivize alternative transportation. All but one...
Rare Tennessee salamander at center of new Endangered Species Act lawsuit
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity, sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday, arguing that the agency violated federal law when it...
Southern Environmental Law Center shows support for offshore wind project amid legal challenges and misinformation
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — This week a federal judge asked the administration to clarify its plans for protecting endangered North Atlantic right whales during construction of Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project (CVOW). This project...
SELC applauds inclusion of public lands designations in Farm Bill framework
WASHINGTON D.C. — On Wednesday, leadership in the U.S. Senate released a framework for the 2024 Farm Bill. The bill’s Forestry Title includes measures that increase forest resilience in the face of climate change and...
Federal lawsuit challenges approval of Cumberland Pipeline
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of the Sierra Club and Appalachian Voices, has filed a lawsuit challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s decision to approve the 32-mile Cumberland Pipeline —...
NEPA rule provides clear roadmap to address environmental injustices, climate change
WASHINGTON — Today the Council on Environmental Quality clarified state and federal agencies’ responsibility to address climate change and environmental justice under the National Environmental Policy Act, elevating community input on these critical issues. ...