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Lee County: No Fracking Data Center
Simpson well in lee county A photo of the Simpson well in Lee County, also now abandoned. Butler Well #3 is in the same county, and is abandoned, at least for now. Developers Want to Extract Gas for an AI Data Center in Lee County: Why Community Members are Concerned Deep River Data wants to power an AI data center with gas from Butler Well #3 in Lee County. A North Carolina journalist, Lisa Sorg, reported on this plan in November, 2025: A Company Eyes What Would Be North Carolina’s First Commercial Natural Gas Well. Butler Well #3 is located near the Lee-Chatham county line, south of U.S. Highway 421, close to Cumnock & Sanford, NC. It is unlikely this well will produce any usable amount of gas without hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”). Fracking has never been used in North Carolina. Deep River Data’s goal is to open up the gas well, and use the methane gas extracted on-site to power an AI data center. Right now, they are working on submitting an application to the NC Oil & Gas Commission, in order to do that. The risk is real. This project would pose serious threats to our drinking water wells, the Deep River, and our children’s health. The air pollution from gas drilling, fracking, refining that gas, and burning it 24/7 in gas generators to power a data center would harm local residents’ health. UPDATE: Sanford is holding a public hearing on a set of rules for data centers… and they could VOTE to approve these rules on Tuesday 4/21. Sanford City residents shouldn’t be rushed into a set of rules, that haven’t had enough community input. The city and county have the power to hit the pause button with a moratorium, and have a thoughtful transparent process with citizen input and more time for regulations to develop…. but that isn’t what is currently happening. Ask the Lee County Commissioners & Sanford for a Moratorium on Data Centers & Fracking! Sign the petition!: Lee County & Sanford: Pass a Moratorium on Fracking & Data Centers Come to the April 21 Sanford City Council Hearing on Data Center Rules – Sanford is holding a public hearing on a set of rules for data centers… and they could VOTE to approve these rules the same night. Click here for talking points! One big reason to pass a moratorium right now, is that there is bipartisan support for removing NC’s data center tax exemption. Cities or counties could miss out on revenue on projects that start before that sale tax exemption is fixed! That is money our local government should get to offset the cost of data centers on our communities. A moratorium gives Sanford time to make sure that any data center that comes… is paying its fair share in taxes! Join your neighbors in calling on the city & county to pass a moratorium on data centers! THERE COULD BE A VOTE ON THE DATA CENTER RULES…. (without a fracking moratorium)… THIS NIGHT. IF THERE WERE ONE MEETING TO GO TO… IT IS THIS ONE!!! Speaker sign up is from 5-5:50pm (here are talking points for your comment!) Hearing is at 6pm. The night before, April 20 at 6pm at the Dennis Wicker Civic Center (1801 Nash St. Sanford), is the Lee County Commissioners Meeting. Come and ask them, “where is the moratorium on data centers and fracking you voted to draft in March?” We still haven’t seen it. Since November, Deep River Data continues to work on their application. Their continued communication with the state geologist was confirmed at the February 3 NC Oil & Gas Commission meeting The county doesn’t need to wait for the application to come in to act. The best time to protect Lee County residents from fracking, drilling, and a data center, is now. You can always email your comments to the county commissioners or Sanford City Council Upcoming Events April 20 at 6pm at the Dennis Wicker Civic Center (1801 Nash St. Sanford), is the Lee County Commissioners Meeting. Come and ask them, “where is the moratorium on data centers and fracking you voted to draft in March?” We still haven’t seen it. April 21 Sanford City Council Hearing on Data Center Rules – 5pm-225 E. Weatherspoon Street, Sanford. (Sign up to speak 5-5:50pm, hearing at 6pm). Sanford is holding a public hearing on a set of rules for data centers… and they could VOTE to approve these rules the same night. If there is one meeting to come to IT IS THIS ONE! Ask for a moratorium, instead of rules written without a real chance for public input or transparency. RSVP here. Share the Facebook event or on Instagram. Remember that there is still construction on Weatherspoon St, so give yourself time for the detour. Spread the Word! Share information on social media: Follow us on Facebook for events you can share Share the Facebook event for the April 21 hearing! Instagram: follow us @cleanwaternc for updates! Share the Instagram post for the April 21 hearing! Share the petition: Lee County & Sanford: Pass a Moratorium on Data Centers & Fracking Resources to educate neighbors: NEW: Talking Points for Sanford City Council Data Center Public Hearing & Vote on 4/21 Flyer with fracking talking points: Lee County No Fracking Data Center Talking Points New Report: Build Before the Bubble Bursts: Understanding the Business Model Behind the Data Center Boom in North Carolina Article that broke this story: A Company Eyes What Would Be North Carolina’s First Commercial Natural Gas Well. Learn how to use Lee County’s interactive map to see what data they have on mineral rights for your property (it may not be up to date!) Data Center Concerns Deep River Data plans to construct a data center to power AI facilities that house servers for data storage and application operation. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? AI performs complex tasks normally handled by humans. Data centers employ very few people and can even take jobs away. For example, HM Tech, the company that owns Deep River Data, has a data center in Graham, NC in Alamance County. This data center uses 11 megawatts of power and the warehouses for its servers cover 60,000 square feet. It only employs 10 people. Data center investments are risky. Experts are starting to warn of an AI bubble, similar to the dot com crash in the 2000s, or the 2008 crash of the housing market. It seems like the bubble is still inflating, and developers are still proposing data centers anywhere they can . There is a risk of overbuilding, and data centers being abandoned when the bubble pops or new, more efficient technology is adopted. Learn more from our new report: Build Before the Bubble Bursts: Understanding the Business Model Behind the Data Center Center Boom in NC They consume tons of energy and strain local water supplies. Backup generators release harmful chemicals into the air that can harm heart and lung health.. Data centers are LOUD, run 24/7, and range from 55-85 decibels (vacuum cleaner or lawn mower). High electric bills. Rising electricity costs are linked to new infrastructure needed for AI data centers, contributing to electricity bills increasing 2x faster than inflation. Why is Lee County an even riskier place to frack or drill? The underground gas in Lee County is very close to the groundwater. The gas well in question is about 2,700 feet deep. The shale formations fracked in Pennsylvania are much deeper. They range from 8.500 feet- to over 12,000 feet below the ground. The groundwater in Lee County is deep – up to 1,000 feet. Fractures are known to travel up to 2,000 feet – greater than the distance between the gas and the groundwater in Lee County. The cracks in this shale, caused by fracking, are large enough to connect the gas & contaminate our groundwater. About Fracking & Drilling What is fracking? Fracking drills deep underground vertically and then horizontally. Toxic chemicals mixed with water, used at high pressures to crack underground shale, frees the gas trapped within. Drilling and fracking can release harmful chemicals into the air affecting health, linked to early death, pregnancy issues, cancer, and respiratory and heart problems. Conventional drilling can potentially contaminate groundwater with methane and pollutants if it cracks underground rock. Methane can dissolve harmful metals like arsenic and iron, making well water unsafe to drink. Fracking can pollute rivers and other water bodies on the surface. Flowback water or spills of chemicals can get into surface water (like the Deep River!) The injection of wastewater underground has been linked to induced seismic activity, including micro-earthquakes. Children living near fracking wells are more likely to get certain cancers like leukemia & lymphoma.
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Global Ramifications, Local Impact – Microsoft’s AI Pollution Footprint
Read the Report! Global Ramifications, Local Impact – Microsoft’s AI Pollution FootprintOur friends at STAND have released a new report looking Microsoft's AI pollution footprint. Clean Water for North Carolina was glad to help out, by highlighting the impact that Microsoft has on the type of energy we use in North Carolina. Microsoft’s North American AI data center build-out is set to drive a massive 600% increase in the company’s energy demand. What will that mean for states like North Carolina? Microsoft's hunger for electricity is being used as a justification to build expensive methane gas power plants and pipelines. Check out the North Carolina case study in this report to learn how. Read the Report! Key findings 1. In North America, electricity demand from Microsoft data centers is expected to increase over 600% from 2024 levels by 2030. That’s enough to power nearly 10 million U.S. households for a year – or almost the entire electricity consumption of the entire New England region. If this demand is met by fossil fuels, both local and climate pollution will skyrocket. 2. In the U.S., most states where Microsoft data centers are located rely on grid electricity that is ≥50% fossil fuel generated. Microsoft’s investment into PPAs is laudable, but many projects are located in areas far away from its data centers and these projects do not exclusively provide renewable energy. This indicates, despite claims of matching 100% of its electricity demand with renewable purchases by 2025, the data centers themselves are still dependent on fossil fuels. 3. Microsoft’s data center emissions (scope 1 and 2) reached over 7.87 million metric tons CO2e globally in FY23 – equivalent to more than the annual climate pollution generated by the state of Vermont. This report finds that 95.68% of Microsoft’s global operational emissions in FY23 were from data centers, which drives the company’s rising climate pollution. The company’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3) increased by 55.38% between FY2013 and FY24 showing an ongoing upward trend.14 4. Obfuscated colocation data means the total impacts of Microsoft’s data centers are likely even higher than reported or projected. Like many big tech companies, Microsoft outsources much of its data center needs to third-party, colocation facilities. As of June 2024, Microsoft had the largest share of pre-leased capacity in colocation data centers – more than the other four major hyperscalers combined.15 By not clearly disclosing the energy consumed and emissions generated by its outsourced data services, Microsoft is not revealing the full extent of its climate and local pollution impacts. 5. Increased demand for energy leads to new fossil fuel facilities being built or existing ones staying online longer. Often this can occur in communities already suffering from high amounts of pollution, like the small community of Person County, North Carolina. The sheer scale of Microsoft’s AI data center buildout may have global implications for the climate, but it also comes with serious impacts for local communities. Additionally, these data centers contribute to higher electricity rates and raise concerns over water supply in the regions where they are clustered. The findings exemplify a clear connection between AI development and fossil fuel build out, a concerning lack of transparency into data center energy consumption and sourcing, and serious shortcomings in Microsoft’s community benefit practices. Take ActionTell Microsoft to act like a climate leader Microsoft has a history of being a climate leader, but the AI data center boom is throwing that all off track. Our new research1 shows that not only are most Microsoft data centers located in states with grid electricity that is ≥50% fossil fuel generated – but fossil fuel lobbyists are using new Microsoft data centers as evidence that we need to build out even more fossil fuel infrastructure. With Microsoft’s data center energy demand set to equal that of the entire New England region by 2030, the company has a choice – does it want to be a climate leader or does it want to fan the flames of the crisis? STAND is calling on Microsoft to ensure its new AI data centers are powered by local, 24/7, additional renewable energy, and provide substantial benefits for the surrounding community. Add your voice, sign the petition today! Sign the Petition!
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PRESS RELEASE: New Maps Show Transco & Other Proposed Pipelines’ Threat to Drinking Water in North Carolina and Virginia
CONTACT Stephanie Gans, Assistant Director, steph@cwfnc.org Kernersville, N.C. — On Wednesday, August 27, Clean Water for North Carolina released new, interactive maps highlighting drinking water sources threatened by three proposed methane gas pipelines in North Carolina and Virginia. Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company’s proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP) Pipeline, crossing through densely populated areas in Guilford and Forsyth Counties, poses the greatest threat to NC drinking water of the three. These maps provide the public with valuable information ahead of public hearings on whether the state should approve SSEP’s 401 water quality certification application. North Carolinians and Virginians near any of the proposed routes can use the maps to identify if their drinking water source is at risk of contamination due to pipeline impacts. SSEP Pipeline is a proposed 42-inch diameter high-pressure, methane gas pipeline. It would cross multiple states, starting in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and out to Coosa County, Alabama. 28.4 miles of new pipe are proposed for North Carolina in Rockingham, Guilford, Forsyth, and Davidson counties. It would require the expansion of two gas-fired compressor stations in Iredell and Davidson counties, which would produce air pollution. SSEP’s proposed route puts it close to existing Transco pipelines. In Rockingham County, the pipeline would follow closely along the proposed route for Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate, crossing many of the same waterways, also magnifying the potential for impacts to groundwater. The proposal to install multiple high-pressure, large-diameter pipelines on similar routes has inspired vocal opposition at public hearings. Guilford County passed a resolution citing safety concerns in response. The town of Midway passed a resolution of opposition in May. Community members facing further land seizure by Transco for the SSEP, have expressed skepticism of their safety record and water pollution controls. “I have lived with the three despicable Transco pipelines running through my farm and community for over 60 years. Now, Transco wants to install a fourth pipeline referred to as SSEP.” said, Ron Ray, a resident of Guilford County, “Beaver Creek runs over the pipelines on my farm and has always been a potential source of contamination for water running into the creek, rivers, and waters on to the Atlantic Ocean. The SSEP construction will certainly cause damage to these waterways during construction and increase the risks of severe damage for generations to come. I plead that this project be not permitted for the sake of the health and safety of future generations.” Pollution from pipeline construction or leaks during operation can harm rivers, streams, public water supplies, and private wells all along the route. The pipelines are proposed near communities that have already suffered groundwater contamination from coal ash, in order to supply new gas turbines proposed by Duke Energy in Person and Catawba Counties. “We released these maps to empower residents with information that often stays buried in long permit applications. That way, we can act to protect our communities. Private well users within 1000ft of the proposed pipelines are at risk of contamination of their groundwater or even a decrease in water supply. These maps can help them identify if their wells are at risk.” said Steph Gans, Assistant Director of Clean Water for North Carolina, “Clean water is not the only thing on the line. These pipelines would supply new power plants adding to unhealthy air in communities. They will increase already high gas and electric bills. They threaten drinking water supplies, which could raise water bills. Using methane will worsen climate change, which caused damaging storms like Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Chantal. Both storms imposed huge costs on local water utilities and left North Carolinians without clean drinking water for days or weeks.” The maps show the threat to beloved local waterways across three watersheds: the Roanoke, Cape Fear, and Yadkin-Pee Dee. SSEP would cross the headwaters of the Haw River and the Dan River, which are sources of drinking water for NC communities. They show public water supplies from groundwater, some of which are perilously close to the SSEP pipeline’s route. “Projects like this create irreparable damage on our sensitive aquatic ecosystems and pose serious risks for downstream communities that depend on our rivers and streams for drinking water supplies.” said Emily Sutton, Haw Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Haw River Assembly, “These maps help us to demonstrate the unavoidable damage the SSEP project would cause if these permits are approved. This is the opportunity for our communities to show up and have their voices heard to oppose this unnecessary pipeline.” On Thursday, September 4 at 4:30pm, community members and grassroots organizations will hold: No SSEP! Rally to Protect Water in Harmon Park at 152 South Main Street, Kernersville, NC. The rally will take place before a public hearing on SSEP’s water quality certification application held by the NC Department of Environmental Quality. The hearing starts at 6 p.m. in the Kernersville Municipal Council Chambers, 134 East Mountain Street, Kernersville, NC. Private well users along the route welcomed the maps. “I’m glad this information will be available as I am definitely impacted by the proposed pipeline.” said Diana Garrison, a Guilford County resident, “I live in a neighborhood close to the pipeline, so all the homeowners’ wells are impacted by any leakage or seepage of toxins. Williams says they check to make sure their pipeline is safe, but we have yet to see anyone walking along pipeline in our area.” To view interactive maps of the SSEP, MVP Southgate, and T-15 pipeline routes visit cwfnc.org/nc-pipelines. The maps use data from a variety of public sources, including FracTracker Alliance, a non-profit organization educating the public about the risks from oil and gas projects. The maps show public water supplies, land within 1000ft of the proposed pipelines, the potential blast zone in the event of a pipeline accident, and drinking water sources at risk of pollution from all three pipelines. ### About Clean Water for North Carolina Clean Water for North Carolina is a non-profit promoting clean, safe water and environments and empowered, just communities for all North Carolinians through outreach, advocacy, education, and technical assistance. cwfnc.org About Haw River Assembly Haw River Assembly is a 501(c)(3) non-profit citizens’ group founded in 1982 to restore and protect the Haw River and Jordan Lake, and to build a watershed community that shares this vision. Our goals are to promote environmental education, conservation and pollution prevention; to speak as a voice for the river in the public arena; and to put into peoples’ hands the tools and the knowledge they need to be effective guardians of the river. hawriver.org Note: this press release was corrected to have the right month for Midway’s resolution opposing SSEP.
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After Chantal: Taking Action in North Durham & Person Counties
Flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal in North Durham County In North Durham & Person Counties, our rivers & electric bills just got higher than ever. Join us for a virtual meeting on what we can do this JULY to protect ourselves from climate disasters & higher electric bills. Thursday, July 16 – 6:00-6:50pm via Zoom Register here! Join Clean Water for North Carolina for this virtual meeting! You’ll: Connect with other like-minded people in North Durham City/County & Person County Learn why right now, North Durham & Person have a chance to make a difference for our climate, utility bills, and water. Register today!
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PFAS Water Protections Facing Threat Under New EPA Head
The Cape Fear River is one of the best known drinking water sources contaminated with PFAS. However, it is far from the only groundwater or surface water in NC that is polluted with PFAS. PFAS Water Protections Facing Threat Under New EPA Head PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” are toxic substances found in products like nonstick cookware, firefighting foam, and even our drinking water. These chemicals leach into our soil, water, and bodies. Leading to serious health risks, including cancer and immune system damage. Despite concerns from communities across the country, Lee Zeldin’s EPA mentioned last month that it plans to weaken limits on some “forever chemicals” in drinking water that were finalized last year, while maintaining standards for two common ones. This kind of rollback is a dangerous step backward. To better highlight why PFAS are such an issue and need more regulation, one of our CWFNC volunteers, Ava Silver, wrote a brief article about PFAS and their risks. PFAS- What You Should Know PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as “forever chemicals,” are man-made substances used in a wide range of products because they are extremely long-lasting. Since the 1940s, they’ve been used in everyday items like clothing, carpets, and food packaging. The problem? PFAS don’t break down easily in the environment and they build up in our bodies over time. The main way people are exposed to PFAS is through drinking water, and studies show that most Americans already have some level of PFAS in their systems. Long-term exposure to PFAS in drinking water has been linked to serious health problems, including: ● Increased cholesterol levels ● Liver damage ● Higher risk of thyroid disease ● High blood pressure or preeclampsia during pregnancy ● Small decreases in infant birth weight ● Weaker immune response to vaccines in children ● Higher risk of certain cancers On April 10, 2024, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) finalized new drinking water standards that limit six different PFAS compounds. Public water systems across the country—including in North Carolina— had five years to meet these new standards. After Lee Zeldin took over the EPA, four of the drinking water standards were removed, and the timeline for compliance on the other two increased by two years. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) is taking steps to identify and reduce PFAS contamination in our state. They’re also working to create regulatory standards that better protect our water and communities. On April 22, they held a public hearing on proposed updates to the state’s water quality rules. Many people across North Carolina spoke up, urging for stronger, science-based protections. Some of their recommendations included: ● Expanding E. coli monitoring to include both Class B and Class C recreational waters ● Setting a numeric limit for toxic PFAS in surface waters ● Maintaining a strong science-based standard for 1,4-dioxane ● Increasing monitoring of microplastics and their effects PFAS don’t just affect people, they impact the whole of our environment. These chemicals can enter the food chain, harming animals and disrupting reproduction and health in wildlife, similar to humans. The longer we let PFAS stay in our environment the more dire the situation becomes. As our government works to set better drinking water standards individuals can combat PFAS as well. ● Avoid Products that Contain PFAS ○ Such as non-stick pans, water and stain resistant fabrics, and cosmetics with “fluoro” or “PTFE” chemicals. ● Filter your Drinking Water ○ Use a reverse osmosis or activated carbon filter certified to remove PFAS. ● Raise Awareness ○ Introduce the topic of PFAS in classroom and educational settings. While previous exposure to PFAS can’t be undone, continued advocacy and awareness can help persuade our government to take further steps to prevent additional exposure to these forever chemicals. References: The Environmental Protection Agency Delays Limits on PFAS in Drinking Water – NPR State ‘forever chemicals’ spotlight: North Carolina’s drinking water contamination | Environmental Working Group PFAS in Drinking Water Understanding PFAS | NC DEQ https://www.deq.nc.gov/genx/nc-deq-action-strategy-pfas/open What’s the deal with PFAS, aka ‘forever chemicals’?.
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Stop Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate!
Sediment pollution washes into a river along the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s route in Virginia. The developer has 350 water quality violations & $2.5 million in fines from building the MVP. Now this developer wants to build MVP Southgate into NC. Tell NC DEQ :No MVP Southgate by July 5 The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) is a high pressure, methane gas pipeline that has already been harmful for WV & VA communities. MVP Southgate is a proposed extension of this pipeline. It would cross from Chatham, VA into Rockingham County, NC. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality ( NC DEQ) is considering granting a 401 water permit to this pipeline. 🚨TAKE ACTION NOW: Ask NC DEQ for a public hearing on the 401-water permit! You can make a public comment online using this form Talking Points for Your Comment Ask: DEQ should deny MVP Southgate’s 401 water quality certification again. NC DEQ should hold a public hearing in the Morehead High School Auditorium and extend the comment period deadline to give community members a real chance to weigh in. The Southgate project would permanently harm waterways, wetlands, and aquatic resources. Include your personal reasons you’re opposed: Do you live nearby? Are you a landowner on the route? Fish in the Dan? Energy bills too high already? etc. More specific talking points: Impacts on water bodies MVP Southgate would affect fifty water bodies in North Carolina. This includes: the Dan River, Cascade Creek, & 36 wetlands.1 Pipeline construction would increase sediment and turbidity (cloudiness) in these waterways. This hurts water quality, fish, and other aquatic species. Construction would pollute wetlands. Wetlands protect communities from flooding & are important habitat for aquatic species. The Dan River is a drinking water source. Southgate would cross several of its tributaries. This can harm the river’s quality & threaten access to clean drinking water upstream in Virginia. Even after pipeline construction, higher amounts of sediment in water are shown to continue. The developers plan to cross many water bodies using a method called dry-ditch, open-cut crossing. This is more likely to cause sediment pollution compared to some other methods. Endangered aquatic species The Dan River is critical habitat for several federally protected mussels: Endangered: James spinymussel & Roanoke logperch. (Cascade Creek also provides suitable habitat to the Roanoke logperch) Threatened: Atlantic Pigtoe Sediment pollution from constructing MVP Southgate would harm these protected species & their homes. Within one mile of MVP Southgate’s route, there are five different plant species with state-level protections. MVP’s history of violations Mountain Valley’s record of water impacts is alarming. 94% of waterbody crossing sites for the MVP mainline suffered documented negative impacts. DEQ cannot trust MVP to follow water quality laws. The company has repeatedly violated these laws during pipeline construction in other states. Sediment pollution & runoff issues continue since the completion of MVP Mainline. The harm continues for nearby water bodies and downstream aquatic ecosystems. Natural disasters and climate change MVP Southgate would supply methane gas to Duke Energy for new gas-fired power plants. This would release greenhouse gases, making the climate crisis worse. Methane can also leak from pipelines. The region of the proposed Southgate project has been experiencing increasingly extreme storms. These storms cause flooding, harming regional water bodies and local ecosystems During Hurricane Helene, high winds damaged buildings and downed trees and powerlines in Rockingham County. Our state resources should go toward repairing the ongoing damage to these communities. NC needs to strengthen our resilience to climate change rather than investing in another risky methane project. Close to the route of another high-pressure pipeline Nearly the entire proposed route for MVP Southgate is within ½ mile of another proposed methane pipeline: Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement Project. The construction of two new pipelines near one another will worsen negative impacts to water quality in rivers and wetlands.
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Stop SB 472! Bill Would Endanger Every NC River, Lake, Aquifer & More
Sediment pollution washes into a river along the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s route in Virginia. SB 472 would gut North Carolina regulators’ ability to protect us from this type of dangerous impact from pipelines and other big projects. What is Senate Bill 472? + Take Action! This bill would require the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to act on a 401 water quality certification application, within 5 DAYS. If NC DEQ doesn’t act within 5 days after receiving the full application, that means the project can move forward with out it! Why is this important? 401 water quality certifications are the main way North Carolina protects our water from pollution from big new projects. Regulators consider the potential pollution caused by a proposed project and input from the public. Then they make decisions about how to protect our waterways from pollution. 5 days it not enough time to do this right or get real community input. A timeline this short takes away your voice. The goal of this bill is to force DEQ to waive permitting on complicated projects. 5 days is an impossible time frame for complex water quality certification applications. Projects that cross several miles and multiple water bodies, like methane gas pipelines, can’t be reviewed in 5 days. Call & email your legislator today! Find their contact info here. 🚨TAKE ACTION NOW: Call and write your NC House representative TODAY • Tell them to VOTE NO on Senate Bill 472 • Ask them to speak out AGAINST this bill on the floor and social media • Remind them: This is an unworkable solution to a non-existent problem! • Make it personal – tell your rep why and how clean water matters to YOU and your family. 📱 FIND YOUR REP
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Say no to Duke Energy’s plans for a methane gas power plant near the Triangle!
Join us! Public Hearing on a SECOND Duke Energy Gas Powerplant in Person County The NC Utilities Commission is holding a public meeting on whether to approve a second methane gas powerplant in Person County. Join us at the hearing May 5, Roxboro NC (40 min. north of Durham)! 6pm social hour, 7pm- hearing. RSVP to let us know you’re coming: steph@cwfnc.org Duke Energy has approved plans for one methane gas power plant in Person County, NC. (north of Durham) Now they want a second. Studies & Duke’s own estimates show the increase in demand in electricity is from industrial customers, especially data centers. A gas lobbyist told NC legislators to make gas pipeline permitting faster, citing a new Microsoft data center nearby as a reason why. Duke customers should not have to pay for powerplants that serve big tech companies like MICROSOFT. Microsoft can generate their own CLEAN electricity with solar plus storage. Not a sound investment of everyday people’s money, since the plant may not get fully used with the NC law to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Join us at the Public Hearing- Monday, May 5 Join us at the NCUC public meeting!- Monday, May 5 Food + social hour at 6pm, hearing at 7 p.m. Person County Courthouse, 105 South Main Street, Roxboro, NC (40 minutes north of Durham) Need a ride? Want to carpool? Email us: steph@cwfnc.org. We will reimburse mileage for anyone who takes 2 or more people in their car! RSVP, so we know how many to expect! Email steph@cwfnc.org Can’t make it in-person? Go to the Virtual Hearing May 6 Sign up to comment at the virtual hearing! Tuesday, May 6 – 6:30pm – Online via WebEx. How to sign up: Click here to sign up to comment by 5pm April 29. Only the first 20 people who sign up will get to comment at the hearing. Email Steph@cwfnc.org if you plan to comment! We can share detailed info to help you write a strong comment & recruit others to do the same. Email me! Map of Proposed Gas Projects & Microsoft Mega-SiteComment to the NCUC- talking points & how to comment online Tell the NC Utilities Commission: No new gas plant! How to comment: Visit: ncuc.gov/contactus.html Put your name, email address, and for the docket number, use: E-2 Sub 1349 Write your comment (check out talking points below). Tell them why you as a Duke Energy customer or local resident don’t want this new gas plant! Click submit Some points to consider: Share your personal reasons you’re opposed. Mention if you are from an impacted community or a Duke customer (Share how higher billls have already affected you!) Reports show that North Carolina’s residential & industrial need for electricity can be met with efficiency and clean, renewable energy. Solar & wind are more cost-effective alternatives to gas. Person County is burdened by pollution. This community is already impacted by the coal plant’s air pollution and coal ash leaching into groundwater. Duke Energy admitted the gas plants could increase the risk of cancer for nearby residents. The area near the proposed site has significantly higher rates of infant and child mortality and babies born with a low birthweight, compared to the national avereage (97th percentile, 95th, and 90th, respectively). The area has higher rates of stroke, cancer, chronic heart disease, and COPD than 70% of adults in the U.S. Local residents & Duke customers refuse to pay (with money & with our health) for powerplants that serve big tech companies like Microsoft. Microsoft can generate their own CLEAN electricity with solar + storage. Methane is as bad for our climate as coal. Over a 20 year period, Methane is 80x as powerful as carbon dioxide. It leaks from fracking, pipelines, and at powerplants. Continuing to use it will make climate change worse. Learn more- Take further action This gas plant would need a massive pipeline to fuel it. Right now, NC DEQ is considering whether to approve this pipeline. Its called T-15 pipeline. Take action: cwfnc.org/no-t15 Fact sheet about all proposed methane gas projects in Person County (including T-15). Fact sheet about all pipeline projects in Rockingham County (including T-15, Southeast Supply Enhancement Project SSEP, and MVP Southgate). For more visit nossep.org Take the next step! Write a letter-to-the-editor and submit it to your local paper. This lets your neighbors know about the pipeline, and what they can do to oppose it. Check out this letter-to-the-editor guide from Appalachian Voices.
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Stop the T-15 Pipeline!
What is the T-15 Pipeline? The T-15 pipeline is 45-mile long, 30 & 36in-wide high-pressure methane gas pipeline. It’s proposed by Enbridge, a Canadian corporation with a history of violations. It would cross through Rockingham, Caswell & Person Counties. Click here for an interactive map. The T-15 pipeline would feed two new Duke Energy gas power plants north of Roxboro. However, studies show that NC’s needs for electricity can be met by cheaper, clean energy sources, like solar. Now, NC DEQ is reviewing Enbridge’s application for a “Water Quality Certification”. The T-15 pipeline would have to cross more than 100 streams, wetlands, and open waters, as well as nearby private wells that supply drinking water. Comment online by July 25th! (link to comment below) Woodland Elementary School is located close to the pipeline route, raising local concerns that any leaks or accidents could endanger children. Comment online to tell NC Dept. of Environmental Quality: No T-15 Pipeline! Use this info to fill out the comment form, at this link! Talking points below. ID number: 20250069 Version: 1 Name of project: EGNC T-015 Reliability Project Talking points- T-15 Pipeline Concerns Ask NC DEQ to deny this permit to the T-15 pipeline. This is safest for our water, electric bills, economy, & climate. This version of the T-15 pipeline may be larger than is necessary, and should be denied. Only one of the gas-powered Duke powerplants it would supply is approved. It is still unknown whether a second one will be approved or is even necessary. State employees who represent the interests of Duke & Piedmont customers testified that a second gas plant fed by T-15 is not the least cost option for customers, and is potentially not eligible to be included in rates while being built as a baseload plant, due to Clean Air Act regulations. However, if they do not deny it, ask NC DEQ should protect water by doing the following: Streams, Wetlands, and Open Waters This 45-mile project would cross streams, wetlands or open waters in at least 170 locations along its route. Each site has unique characteristics. The permit should require detailed plans and inspections to prevent erosion and sedimentation into the waters that would violate the state’s turbidity standard. Without these plans and inspections, the permit would NOT protect the state’s water quality. The pipeline, compressor station, and power plants would leak methane — making climate change worse. This makes natural disasters, like Hurricane Helene, more likely. It can worsen flooding, droughts, and destroy public water utility infrastructure. Drinking Water Many of the over 200 properties that would be impacted by the T-15 pipeline construction and operation are served by private drinking water wells. For private wells, Enbridge should be required to: Locate all wells within 250 feet of the pipeline or worksites. Test these wells for bacteria, inorganics & fuel related chemicals before & after construction. If water quality or quantity is decreased after construction, the developer must be responsible for providing safe replacement water Person County’s well water near the existing coal plant has already been contaminated. There must be strong rules in place to prevent this new set of wells from contamination. For public water supplies, Enbridge should be required to: Identify any public water supply wells within 250 feet of the T-15 pipeline corridor or construction workspaces. Test the public water supply wells before and after construction at the expense of the project developer at a certified drinking water lab for all federal drinking water standards. If any loss of source water quantity or quality is found, the project developer is responsible for providing a safe replacement water supply Economic issues The T-15 pipeline is a financial risk to Duke customers. Rate payers will cover the cost of building it, plus the profits to Enbridge. In the future, non-emitting electric generation renewable sources will be required to meet climate goals. This could leave T15 a costly, abandoned asset. Duke Energy’s plan to use hydrogen for this pipeline and powerplants is not a serious business plan. The technology and supply for hydrogen at this scale for energy does not exist, and it is a huge gamble to bet on it existing in the future. This pipeline will not fit within the corridor for the existing smaller pipeline that runs along most of the pipeline route. Enbridge is seeking larger easements and additional workspace. This has raised concerns among impacted landowners in all three counties it would cross, and its potential harm to the local economy. Learn More Fact sheet about all proposed methane gas projects in Person County (including T-15). Fact sheet about all pipeline projects in Rockingham County (including T-15, Southeast Supply Enhancement Project SSEP, and MVP Southgate). For more visit nossep.org Take the next step! Write a letter-to-the-editor and submit it to your local paper. This lets your neighbors know about the pipeline, and what they can do to oppose it. Check out this letter-to-the-editor guide from Appalachian Voices.
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Press Release: Person Co. Commission Puts Gas Plant Rezoning Back on Agenda, Without Public Comment or Response to Concerns
February 13, 2025 CONTACT Steph Gans, Communications Manager, Clean Water for NC, (609) 802-4126, steph@cwfnc.org ROXBORO, N.C. — On Feb. 3, The Person County Board of Commissioners voted to table Duke Energy’s application to rezone 297 acres of land near Hyco Lake to industrial use for proposed methane gas power plants. One reason the board cited was that the public did not have a chance to review the application. That night, public speakers raised impacts of the gas plants on farms, health, and the economy. However, undermining its stated rationale for postponing the decision, the board now plans to take up the rezoning during their Feb. 18 “retreat,” when there will be no opportunity for public input. A large crowd attended the Feb. 3 meeting, mainly to discuss tax re-evaluations. However, the hearing on rezoning of the land near Hyco Lake to industrial use proved quite controversial. All of the commenters at the hearing were concerned about the lack of transparency. Duke’s full rezoning application was submitted after the planning board had already approved sending Duke’s request to the county commissioners. Commenters testified that on the day of the hearing, they could not access the application through the County’s website. The top concerns were about farms, health, and other damaging industries coming to Person County as a result of the rezoning for a gas plant. The plants’ gas would be supplied by the 45-mile, 36-inch diameter T-15 pipeline, proposed to run through nearby land. Pipeline construction or leaks can harm soil quality, drinking water, air quality and destroy more profitable opportunities for landowners. The pipeline is set to run about three-quarters of a mile from Woodland Elementary School, prompting concerns that any leak or accident could be dangerous to children. Microsoft recently bought an industrial mega-site nearby. No information has been shared with the public by the county commissioners or by Microsoft about their plans for the site but residents and advocates are concerned that Microsoft’s plans mirror the corporation’s plans for data centers in Catawba County, close to proposed gas plants. At the Feb. 3 hearing, Juhi Modi, NC Field Coordinator for Appalachian Voices, stated, “We know that Microsoft would be an industrial customer, but we don’t know what the site would be used for. I request that the vote to rezone is delayed until the community actually has transparency, and we know what the site would be used for.” After the comments, the crowd loudly objected to a motion to close the public hearing on the topic. In response, Commissioner Puryear said, “Given tonight you’ve heard some concerns regarding that, and I understand there were some technical issues accessing the information, and we want to be as transparent as completely possible, I would entertain a motion of tabling it until our next meeting for further discussion.” When the motion passed 4-1, the crowd applauded. Tracy Sexton, a resident who originally commented at the Feb. 3 meeting, responded to the decision to hold the next vote without public comment. “The commissioners are in a position of power,” Sexton said. “They have the power to help those of us with less power: the citizens of Person County. This is about our health. My comments about not using coal ash in construction, giving us real-time 3rd party readings of what’s going on with the emissions, and making Duke name how many days we’ll be polluted by both the gas and coal plants, the commissioners should take responsibility to use their power wisely for the benefit of the citizens.” Hope Taylor, executive director of Clean for North Carolina, an organization that worked for years with the community around the coal plant for treatment systems and coal ash clean-up, stated, “By scheduling the vote on rezoning at a meeting where the public cannot weigh in, the Person County Commission shows that it never intended to allow public input after review of the zoning application. The commissioners must honor their own Feb. 3 decision, and delay the rezoning vote until the March 3 meeting or later, providing adequate time for public comments, and show that they will be responsive to questions about impacts to health, farms, and by industrial customers like Microsoft.”
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