Press Releases
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. ...
Biden administration announces historic protections from fossil fuel plants
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced today several new historic protections from pollution from fossil fuel power plants.
Lack of DHEC oversight allows industry to self-regulate
Stormwater permit allows industry to hide water pollution from public CHARLESTON, S.C. — Today, on behalf of every riverkeeper in the state, the Southern Environmental Law Center sent a letter to the South Carolina...
Community, Advocacy Groups Ask NC Agencies for Clear Goals on Environmental Justice
DURHAM — In a series of comment letters, community and environmental groups called on North Carolina’s cabinet agencies for meaningful action, not vague rhetoric, in drafting their goals to advance environmental justice across the state. ...
Conservation Groups appeal permits that threaten ‘endangered’ Duck River
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, appealed water withdrawal permits issued to local utilities along the Duck River this week. The permits fail to protect...
Conservation Groups sue Forest Service over Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan’s impact on endangered wildlife
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — This week, a coalition of conservation groups filed a lawsuit over glaring flaws in the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan that put endangered forest bats at risk, following through on a previous 60-day...
Superfund cleanup designations for two PFAS underscores need to stop pollution at its source
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—The Environmental Protection Agency’s designation of two notorious PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, as hazardous substances is essential for cleaning up past pollution in communities across America, and it underscores the need to...
Georgia Public Service Commission approves burning more fossil fuels for energy
ATLANTA-- Today the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Georgia Power’s off-cycle request to burn more fossil fuels for energy as they seek to attract more large-load customers, including data centers, potentially exposing residential and...