Southeast Supply Enhancement Project Update

By Nicole Eastman, Riverkeeper Assistant and Watershed Protection Specialist

Community members and environmental advocates attending the Davidson County Commissioner’s Meeting

On December 8, the Davidson County Commissioners passed a resolution of concern regarding Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP). The pipeline will cross through Davidson, Forsyth, and Guilford counties, and the project will expand the compressor station in Davidson County. The resolution requests that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) deny approval of the project and issuance of any permits until the following recommendations by the Commissioners are met:

  1. FERC and DEQ should fully consider the health, safety, environmental, economic, and quality-of-life concerns raised by Davidson County residents,

  2. FERC should require a comprehensive Environmental Assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate all potential risks and alternatives to the proposed pipeline project, including a “no action” alternative,

  3. Impacted community members should be meaningfully involved in the decision-making process for the project, and

  4. FERC should require Transco to submit plans for immediate notification of emergency events to affected residents and local emergency management agencies.

Nicole Eastman, Riverkeeper Assistant and Watershed Protection Specialist joined other advocates and community members to express their support of the resolution during the public comment period prior to the commissioner’s vote. Clean Water for North Carolina and Appalachian Voices coordinated the grassroots efforts that led to a great turnout at Transco’s DEQ air quality permit public hearing in Lexington on November 18 and the Davidson County Commissioners passing this resolution of concern. This resolution was developed a year after the Commissioners passed a resolution of support for the pipeline after hearing a presentation from Transco which did not address the environmental and safety issues associated with the project. This newest resolution is an addition to the 4 resolutions of concern or opposition passed by the Town of Midway, Guilford County, Forsyth County, and the City of Greensboro.

FERC will make their final decision regarding the project by February 5, 2026, and NC DEQ is expected to make their decisions on the 401 Water Quality Certification and the air permit by the end of this week.

For more information about the Davidson County Commissioners’ public hearing and passing of the new resolution, visit this press release. If you have any questions about YRK’s involvement, reach out to nicole@yadkinriverkeeper.org.