In 2018, construction on the 303-mile fracked-gas Mountain Valley Pipeline began in Virginia and West Virginia. Then MVP announced plans to extend the unfinished mainline 70-miles into North Carolina via the MVP Southgate Extension, which would require a massive, polluting compressor station in a predominately Black community near Chatham, VA. Construction on Southgate will only begin if the compressor station gets approved, and the NC DEQ has denied necessary permits multiple times.
So far, MVP has amassed over 350 water quality violations, and is years behind schedule on the Mainline alone. It is nowhere near completion, and they’ve been forced to nearly double their budget to $6.6 billion dollars. MVP faces increasing legal and regulatory roadblocks, including the loss of federal authorizations coupled with new construction limitations. For this, we can thank countless brave community members, lawyers and the grassroots organizers at Appalachian Voices, POWHR and others, for their dedication to stopping MVP.
The fight is ramping up again, due to a recent bill that proposes (among other pro-pipeline actions) to fast-track the MVP. We are ready to rise to meet this challenge. Follow us on social media to stay updated on the latest news and calls to action.
Resources: https://powhr.org/learn-more/
MVP fast facts: https://appvoices.org/pipelines/mountain-valley-pipeline/
MVP Southgate fast facts: https://appvoices.org/pipelines/mvp-southgate/
Tribal nations, communities and countries across the globe have been protecting threatened ecosystems through Rights of Nature laws and court decisions, which recognize and protect the legal rights of nature, and institute mechanisms to enforce and defend these rights (against a pipeline corporation, for example). Through the end of 2022, we’ll be offering film screenings, workshops and educational content to prepare for the January 2023 NC Legislative Session, where we’ll be campaigning for Rights of Nature legislation to protect the Haw River.
Click here to sign up for our Rights of Nature Introductory Workshop.
In collaboration with historian Beverly Scarlett (Founder of Indigenous Memories), our Indigenous History Teach-Ins are monthly, free events that are held outdoors across The Triangle. Each event features a rotating lineup of local Native voices who weave research, oral history and visuals to reveal the history that dominant colonial narratives strive to suppress and erase. Check out the calendar for the next Teach-In.
We also welcome facilitating educational events for private groups, such as schools, faith groups, community orgs, etc. Fill out our contact form and we'll get back to you.
Ancient life-giving cultures of compassion, prayerful action, humility and solidarity are in our blood. Through initiatives like Community Build Days, we are working to re-establish our ancestors' ways of community care and collective action. We believe in nurturing a diverse network of leaders, attuned to our unique identities and gifts, to help redistribute resources and build community resilience.
Make sure to visit our Event Page frequently, to stay current on upcoming Community Build Days and other opportunities to participate.
Check out this video about our Community Build Day at A Pleasant Grove Food Forest.
Sign up for the latest on our projects, upcoming events and ways to engage.