The N.C. 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 Thursday, Dec. 18, and the water permit on Friday, 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.
"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, to the detriment 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."
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