News

  • Winston-Salem Weaver fire air quality worse than reported by agencies

    The Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League has released a report which shows that hazardous air quality during the Weaver Fertilizer Plant fire was downplayed.

    The report Winston-Salem Weaver Fertilizer Plant Fire – Analysis of Publicly Disseminated Air Quality Information During Facility Fire Incident highlights instances when local officials told the public that the air quality was okay and pollutants were just “irritants” when, in fact, levels of Particulate Matter 2.5 were in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s hazardous and very unhealthy categories.

    Read Press Release  Read Report

  • BREDL requests FERC to deny MVP an extension of time

    In our comments submitted to FERC, BREDL: (1) Requests that FERC deny request from Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (MVP, LLC) for an extension of time until October 13, 2026 to complete construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) (2) In the event that MVP, LLC is granted an extension of time to complete construction of the MVP, BREDL requests that:

    • Revised Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) and Stormwater Management (SWM) plans for the MVP be a condition of the requested extension
    • consideration of cumulative aquatic impacts of building both the MVP and the Southgate extension be a condition of the requested extension

    Read Full Letter

  • At What Cost? Chapel Hill’s plan to house residents on coal ash dump

    Concerned community members in partnership with ACT Against Coal Ash, Chapel Hill Organization for Clean Energy (CHOCE), Friends of Bolin Creek, the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) and Climate Action NC called a public information meeting to address the coal ash hazards in Chapel Hill on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. (Forum video courtesy of Friends of Bolin Creek)

  • SC woman concerned over new gas pipeline in front of home, officials say it’s legal (WPDE.com)

    A woman living in Atlantic Beach reached out to ABC15 with concerns after she said a gas pipeline was installed in front of her home — without notice.

    Kathy Andrews said the home she’s lived in for nearly two decades on 32nd Avenue in Atlantic Beach was disrupted a couple of weeks ago.

    Andrews said she walked out of her door to see Dominion Energy workers digging a hole in her front yard; something she said she never gave permission or received a notice for.

    Read Press Release

  • BREDL expresses our concern in a letter to NC DEQ Secretary Biser regarding the Chemours Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) method report

    Transferring a pollutant from one medium to another is a virtual shell game

    Jun. 06, 2022: The Chemours facility has caused massive pollution in the Cape Fear region and the pollution is ongoing. Thousands of people have been impacted.

    Read Full Letter

  • The League Line: Summer 2022

    • Cover: Seeking protection for our local communities is something that we must continue to pursue by Charles Utley
    • BREDL sending representative to Germany for peace delegation by Jenn Galler
    • Director’s Report: Citizens’ responsibility when it comes to pollution by Kathy Andrews
    • EPA takes action on PFAS by Therese Vick
    • Disenfranchisement and its impact on environmental justice by Jason Torian
    • Solar panels in parking lots by Ann Rogers
    • BREDL welcomes Jan Haagensen as Development Director

    Read Issue

  • Citizens Urged to Attend the People’s Hearing at Hannah Pamplico High (prnewswire.com)

    A public forum will be held at Hannah Pamplico High School, 2055 S Pamplico Highway, on Saturday, May 21 at 1pm to discuss the proposed Dominion Energy pipeline.

    Environmentalists say the pipeline will cause harm to residents’ health and to wildlife in an area with an abundance of natural beauty and historical value.

    Read Press Release

  • The League Line: Spring 2022

    • Cover: Fire at Winston-Salem fertilizer operation exposes weaknesses and loopholes in state and federal regulations by Therese Vick
    • Georgia state House of Representatives honor Renee Cail with the 2022 Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leader Award
    • Rev. Charles Utley spoke as part of U.S. Department of State’s Leadership Program
    • Director’s Report: Fundraising during tough times by Kathy Andrews
    • Environmental Injustices persist in Chapel Hill by Jason Torian
    • BREDL seeks revamping of water quality standards for Mountain Valley Pipeline by Ann Rogers
    • Sharon Ponton retires from BREDL
    • BREDL welcomes Jason Torian as community organizer

    Read Issue

  • BREDL Welcomes Jason Torian As Community Organizer

    Jason Torian has joined Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League as our newest community organizer. Jason will be working closely with our Chapel Hill chapter, as well as assisting various other chapters within BREDL’s footprint.

    Jason has been an active volunteer and community activist for nearly two decades. His introduction to BREDL came in 2014 when he joined a local BREDL chapter (PC PRIDE), which was engaged in a fight against a regional landfill. Jason has served on numerous community boards and councils, primarily focused on education and environmental justice. He has also managed and advised multiple successful progressive political campaigns.

    Jason holds a degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University. He worked as an elementary school teacher in Durham, North Carolina from 2018-2022. In addition to his work with BREDL, Jason also serves as an elected member of the Person County (NC) Board of Education. He and his wife Theresa have four children. In his spare time, Jason enjoys cooking, gardening, and watching Duke basketball.

  • The League Line: Winter 2022

    • Cover: Virginia air board denies permit for MVP Southgate compressor station – MVP appeals decision by Mark Barker
    • Director’s Report: The people of Pamplico, South Carolina must rise up and fight Dominion Energy by Kathy Andrews
    • Unity and support makes a difference for the needs of our communities by Charles Utley, BREDL Associate Director
    • The 1,4 Dioxane Dilemma continues… by Therese Vick
    • Update and next steps on Mountain Valley Pipeline by Ann Rogers
    • “It took a while, but in the end we won.” by Lou Zeller, BREDL Strategic Advisor
    • Ways to raise money for your chapter

    Read Issue