NCDEQ Approves Water, Air Permits for SSEP

RALEIGH, N.C. - Today, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has approved the water and air permits for Transco's proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project pipeline.

The NCDEQ approved the air permit on Dec. 18 and the water permit on Dec. 19. The SSEP project includes 55 miles of new pipeline proposed by Williams Transco that would run through Virginia and North Carolina, and also includes compressor station expansions. The pipeline would cross more than 150 streams and wetlands in North Carolina, using methods that can degrade water quality, pollute drinking water sources and harm habitat for aquatic species. The proposed route crosses both Jordan Lake and Randleman Lake watersheds, which together supply drinking water to more than 1 million North Carolinians and serve as a recreational area for residents across the state.

The decision to approve these permits ignored the input from five impacted municipalities, which passed resolutions expressing concern and opposition to the SSEP over the past six months. These include the town of Midway, Guilford County, Forsyth County, the city of Greensboro, and Davidson County.

In response, the Sierra Club and partners released the following statements:

"At every opportunity, North Carolinians have spoken out against SSEP," said Chris Herndon, Director of the North Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club."More than 750 people urged NCDEQ to deny the water permit for this project - and several of the impacted counties and towns have passed resolutions opposing it. NCDEQ has chosen to ignore this clear opposition to this unnecessary and dangerous pipeline that would damage our streams, rivers, and air, putting the profits of companies like Transco ahead of the wellbeing of North Carolinians. The fight isn't over. Our communities are dedicated to protecting their health and environment and will continue to stand up to pipelines like SSEP."

"It seems like Transco has gone out of its way to choose some of the most harmful methods for this project - polluting gas-powered compressor stations instead of electric and destructive dry-ditch, open-cut stream crossings," said Juhi Modi, North Carolina Field Coordinator for Appalachian Voices. "NCDEQ's decision to go along with this is baffling and contrary to its mission to protect North Carolina residents and their communities."

"Environmental harm is already high in the communities where Transco proposes to construct its Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, a proposal which puts our air, clean drinking water, rivers, and streams at risk for generations," said Dr. Crystal Cavalier-Keck of 7 Directions of Service. "NCDEQ's decision to grant SSEP's air and water permits ignores widespread public opposition and concern for health and safety. We'll keep raising our voices against SSEP, and the dangerous policies that put corporate profit over community wellbeing."

"People in North Carolina have had enough of high power bills and constant news about contamination compromising our drinking water," said Steph Gans, Assistant Director at Clean Water for North Carolina. "Approving this permit fails to meet the moment: People want to see change. We won't stop fighting for that."

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.