Communities Fight Against Harmful Methane Pipeline

Decisions by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in January and February cleared the way to begin construction of the Transco (Williams Company) methane pipeline known as the “Southeast Supply Enhancement Project” (SSEP). 

In early March, a coalition of environmental and community groups and individuals, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), filed a request with FERC seeking a rehearing of the case. This legal challenge to the pipeline’s approval remains unresolved.

Toxic Tour of NC

In the meantime, one of the challenging organizations, 7 Directions of Service, has launched a “Toxic Tour” of events along the corridor of the pipeline’s construction, in communities that would be directly impacted by its construction and emissions. The Toxic Tour begins tomorrow (March 24) in Eden, NC. 

“As pipeline development advances, our work shifts accordingly. We are mobilizing directly along the proposed routes – establishing multi-state, community-based “watch teams” to monitor pipeline activities and continue holding developers accountable,” said Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck of 7 Directions of Service. “It’s important that at this moment, we come together across North Carolina and use our collective power to protect land, water, sacred sites, and community health.”

“This tour is important because the SSEP has already begun obscuring their construction activities like tree felling in local communities,” commented Michelle “Meech” Carter, NCLCV Director of Clean Energy Campaigns. “Residents have been unclear when Transco’s operators are entering their properties, so monitoring areas that will be impacted by the pipeline will be critical. Transco needs to follow the claims outlined in their proposals and permits, and community observations and feedback are critical to protecting the environment even though permits have already been issued.”