Southern Environmental Law Center

As Southern cities grow, smart, equitable transit is the way forward. Voters just approved a major referendum to expand light rail and modernize transit across the region in Charlotte.

More on this historic win: https://selc.link/3Xenwwd

South Carolina gas plant plans finally surface This month, a private pipeline company began informing landowners in Georgia and South Carolina that it's eyeing their property for construction of a pipeline that would serve a proposed methane gas plant in Canadys, South Carolina. With the power of “e...

“This is already on track to be one of the most expensive gas-fired power plants in history, and the health and environmental impacts will reach millions.” - Eddy Moore, @CleanEnergyOrg https://selc.link/4oaufDj

Pellet plants saddle Southerners with nonstop noise, pollution A new, first-of-its-kind study surveyed families living near biomass wood pellet plants in the South, shining a light on the significant and long-lasting harm these facilities have on nearby communiti...

This International Day of Action on #BigBadBiomass, learn more through our community health survey and podcast: www.selc.org/news/pellet-...

Japan has rapidly expanded its use of industrial wood pellets for energy but this so-called “climate solution” is devastating Southern forests and harming nearby communities. SELC’s Heather Hillaker joined a delegation to Japan to share how this false “climate solution” impacts the South.

Clean Transportation Works: An Analysis of U.S. Investments — Coalition Helping America Rebuild and Go Electric A report from CHARGE and Atlas Public Policy finds that clean transportation programs worth billions are cutting costs, creating good-paying jobs, and protecting public health. Four sectoral analyses ...

Cleaner air. Lower costs. More jobs. CHARGE’s new report confirms the benefits of clean transportation programs. Congress—protect and expand these investments. America can’t afford to go backwards.

Learn more: www.chargingusforward.com/charging-for...

In Georgia, Trump’s Cuts to Solar Projects Hit Some of His Voters

“We’re in court fighting because the E.P.A. ripped away this program from families with no basis,” SELC senior attorney Nick Torrey said to the NY Times.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/c...

All around the world, groups are preparing for a day of action to raise awareness of the impacts of the biomass industry. YOU are invited to join them! #BigBadBiomass🪚🌳

You can take part: organise an online or offline action on October 21st. Learn how: environmentalpaper.org/2025/08/idoa...

Will the Southeast’s booming EV sector survive the end of tax credits? Demand for electric vehicles is rising in the region, a new study says. Consumers, utilities, and automakers may help sustain growth despite loss of…

EVs are on the move in the South. Despite efforts in DC to undercut EV demand, EVs are an increasingly popular choice with drivers. In GA, VA, and NC, EVs made up nearly 10% of all new car sales in the first half of this year: https://selc.link/3KCJ7eQ

New LDWF report shows sediment, higher mortality rate on oyster beds in Big Lake New data from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) shows sediment deposits on several public oyster reefs in South Big Lake, as well as an unusual mortality rate on some of the on...

"When the mud covers oyster beds, traps shrimp and kills what’s underneath — it doesn’t just wipe away the catch—it wipes our way of life.” - Anthony Theriot, Cameron Parish fisherman: https://www.kplctv.com/2025/09/26/new-ldwf-report-shows-sediment-higher-mortality-rate-oyster-beds-big-lake/#

How Helene redefined home By Jay Leutze I evacuated when the first bands of Tropical Depression Helene swept into the mountains of western North Carolina in late September. Most, including my friend Ashley Cook, did not. The r...

One year ago, Helene tore through Appalachia — reminding us that climate change isn’t a distant threat. It’s here, now. Author Jay Leutze reflects on the chaotic days following the storm and the strength of his neighbors who are still working together to rebuild. https://selc.link/42zRez5

Durham subdivision runoff lawsuit ends in settlement Durham developer Mungo Homes settles lawsuit over muddy runoff, agreeing to fines, erosion fixes, and funding to protect 62 acres in the Falls Lake watershed.

Congratulations and thank you to @selc.bsky.social and Sound Rivers for using the law to protect water in Falls Lake, NC. www.wral.com/news/local/d...

Are you one of the 900k people that may be drinking contaminated water in the Cape Fear River Basin? You can speak up.

The EPA will be hosting a public hearing about the City of Asheboro’s discharges of cancer-causing 1,4-Dioxane on 10/22: https://selc.link/41Rjf4J

The South’s wildest, most untouched places are on the line and you have just two weeks to stand up for them. Tell the Forest Service we need the roadless rule now: https://selc.link/3V0gvOG

Forsyth County commissioners pass resolution opposing pipeline expansion During Thursday's meeting, Forsyth County residents again voiced environmental and safety concerns.

Last week, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution calling on federal regulators to protect residents and reject a dangerous pipeline.

Learn more: https://selc.link/45MAHK1

The government just made it harder for you to weigh in on federal rules The GSA killed a simple tool that made it easy for advocacy groups to submit public comments. Now, only insiders and industry players will be heard.

Did you know that the Trump administration recently made it harder for you to weigh in on federal rules?

"There is definitely a pattern of this administration skirting around transparency and oversight tools.” - SELC Federal Regulatory Director Liz Zepeda: https://selc.link/4g2vCR8

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Submit your book or article for the Reed Environmental Writing Award. The Reed Award celebrates writers who achieve literary excellence and offer extraordinary insight into the South’s natural treasures and environmental challenges: www.selc.org/2026-reed-en...

NC lawmakers green-light bill that could weaken environmental protections, critics warn This week, state lawmakers made it more difficult to establish regulations that potentially protect the environment and public health with the passage of House Bill 402. Critics say the measure create...

In NC, legislators have approved a dangerous bill that prohibits them from considering critical things like avoidable serious illness, health harms, and preserving property values when calculating the impact of potential environmental rules, via @wunc.org: www.wunc.org/environment/...

Hope for red wolves Full tree canopies and blooming goldenrod. Shifting bird sightings with migrating flocks. The thrum of cicadas, late sunsets, and lightning bugs.  The final remnants of summer are all around — and in ...

GREAT NEWS: On August 8, the Fish and Wildlife Service shared the that the world’s only wild population of red wolves has grown by as many as 16 pups. The births are a critical step forward for a wild population that numbered only seven wolves in 2020: www.selc.org/news/hope-fo...

First-of-a-kind US class-action lawsuit would force EPA to reinstate $3bn climate program Coalition of non-profits, tribes and local governments sued EPA chief for halting climate justice grants

The EPA stripped billions of environmental grant dollars from communities across the South and beyond. We’re leading a historic class action lawsuit to get these funds back to the communities that need them most.

Learn more via The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

NC lawmakers green-light bill that could weaken environmental protections, critics warn Gov. Stein vetoed HB 402, lawmakers overrode his objections. The law imposes high thresholds for regulations, public health risk, critics say.

“This new law marks an awful turning point for families and communities across North Carolina when elected officials in the state legislature ignore serious illnesses and deaths in favor of polluters’ profits.” @selc.bsky.social's Mary Maclean Asbill

www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/08/04/n...

E.P.A. Moves to Cancel $7 Billion in Grants for Solar Energy

“If leaders in the Trump administration move forward with this unlawful attempt to strip critical funding from communities across the United States, we will see them in court." - Kym Meyer, SELC Litigation Director www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/c...

Rep. Figures unveils BRIC Act to boost rural disaster funding The bipartisan bill would reform FEMA's aid formula to prioritize vulnerable states.

We appreciate the leadership of @repscfigures.bsky.social and Rep. Edwards in working to make crucial resilience funding more accessible to communities across the South. www.alreporter.com/2025/07/23/r...

No one voted for dirty air and water. The Trump administration is trying to dismantle our bedrock environmental protections. But here at the Southern Environmental Law Center, we’re fighting back – in the courtroom, the halls of governmen...

Together, we can champion ambitious climate action, fight back in the courts to uphold essential environmental protections, and work hand-in-hand with communities to defend our clean air and water, learn how: www.selc.org/page/no-one-...

No one voted for dirty air and water.

Communities across the South are feeling the impacts of federal funding freezes, staffing cuts, and rollbacks of our bedrock environmental laws.

Report compares data center forecasts to global chip production -- "It is not reasonable to believe that data centers in the United States will procure almost all the output of production capacities for AI-related semiconductor chips from the entire world over a six-year period."

From federal litigation to local advocacy, SELC experts will share how we’re stepping up alongside communities, partner organizations, and state leaders to protect what matters most: 

Join us Thursday, July 31 at 12:30 p.m. ET and REGISTER TODAY: selc.link/3Tvlvdf

NEW REPORT: Across the South, electric utilities are pursuing a massive expansion of new pipelines and gas plants in response to unprecedented projected power demand from data centers.

But new research shows that current demand projections are implausible: www.selc.org/press-releas...

The next issue of SELC’s magazine is here.

Our latest issue features everything from life in WNC after Helene, photos from the north GA mountains to the gulf and changemakers big and small.

Want the next one? Sign up to get Issue 6 right to your mailbox, free: www.selc.org/magazine-sig...

We just sued the Trump administration.

Together with our partners at @earthjustice.org, @selc.bsky.social, and @publicrightspro.bsky.social, we’re challenging the illegal termination of environmental justice grants that Congress required by law.

Learn more: L4GG.org/ProtectEJ

ICYMI: The PERMIT Act would weaken federal clean water protections, making it easier for polluters to run rampant.

@repscfigures.bsky.social is standing up for low-income and rural communities across Alabama that would bear the greatest consequences of pollution and flood.