Pipelines

About Pipelines

Pipelines are used to transport oil, gas, and other fossil fuels across long distances, often cutting through rural and under-resourced communities. While touted as efficient energy infrastructure, pipelines carry severe environmental and public health risks. In North Carolina and beyond, pipelines frequently run through Indigenous, Black, and low-income areas, exposing these communities to the dangers of spills, water contamination, and air pollution. Pipeline construction and use has become a controversial issue across the nation, including in North Carolina, with proposed construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline along the I-95 corridor in eastern North Carolina and the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate through parts of Rockingham and Alamance counties. Additionally, pipelines contribute to the long-term harm caused by fossil fuels, accelerating climate change and damaging ecosystems.

False Promises of “Safety” Pipeline companies claim that their infrastructure is safe but leaks and accidents are common. In fact, pipelines have a troubling track record of ruptures and explosions, often with devastating effects. These spills contaminate drinking water sources and harm local ecosystems. Furthermore, even though pipelines are buried underground, the land above them is frequently cleared of vegetation, disrupting wildlife and reducing the natural protections that forests and wetlands provide.

Ways Forward

Strengthened Regulations

Enforce strict regulations on pipeline construction, maintenance, and spill response to protect communities from the hazards of leaks and contamination.

Community Consent

Ensure that no pipeline is built without the free, prior, and informed consent of the communities along its route, particularly Indigenous and marginalized groups.

Clean Energy Transition

Reduce the need for new pipelines by investing in renewable energy infrastructure that doesn’t pose the same environmental and public health risks.

Pipeline Monitoring

Increase funding for independent monitoring of pipeline operations, particularly in regions prone to spills or natural disasters like floods.

Protecting Communities, Preserving the Environment

Pipelines continue to endanger communities and ecosystems across the U.S., all while deepening our reliance on fossil fuels. As North Carolina and other states face growing climate challenges, we must prioritize a shift away from pipelines and fossil fuel infrastructure toward clean, renewable energy. Safeguarding the health of vulnerable communities and preserving our environment for future generations requires stronger regulations, corporate accountability, and a firm commitment to ending new pipeline projects.

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Landfills

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