CleanAIRE NC

Goldsboro Public Hearing: CAFOs General Permit
2023-10-10 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Wayne Community College, 3000 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, 27534, United States
Are you impacted by the smells, air, and water quality concerns from concentrated animal feeding operations? Do you feel it is unjust that North Carolina’s environmental regulations surrounding hog, poultry, and dairy production regularly promote industry more than they protect our communities?
The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is holding a series of public hearings across North Carolina, seeking public comments on a new General Permit regulating:

Dangerous pollution from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (also known as CAFOs); and
Hog waste biogas, a dirty source of energy that is converted from untreated waste at CAFOs.

We invite you to attend the public hearing nearest you to share your story and urge state regulators to protect clean air, clean water, and healthy families:
Kenansville
6 PM on October 5, 2023
James Sprunt Community College
133 James Sprunt Drive, Kenansville, NC 28349
Goldsboro
6 PM on October 10, 2023
Wayne Community College
3000 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534

Statesville
6 PM on October 24, 2023
Statesville Civic Center
300 S. Center St., Statesville, NC 28677
Virtual
6 PM on October 26, 2023
Click here for the Virtual Meeting Link
and Comments Sign-up Form

Nobody should have to live with feces or urine in their air and drinking water. Yet this is an unfortunate reality near industrial-scale hog farms that spray untreated waste into the surrounding environment, posing huge health risks for nearby communities.
To adequately protect public health, NC DEQ must ensure new permitting requirements for CAFOs include:

Transparent recordkeeping & reporting
Safer waste management technology
Monitoring of health & environmental impacts

Kenansville Public Hearing: CAFOs General Permit
2023-10-05 18:00 - 19:00 | James Sprunt Community College, 133 James Sprunt Drive, Kenansville, NC, 28349, United States

From Barrels to Batteries: A Roundtable on Rural Transportation Electrification in the Southeast
2023-10-04 09:00 - 17:00 | Central Piedmont Community College – Harris Conference Center, 3216 Cpcc Harris Campus Dr, Charlotte, NC, 28208, United States
Join local and state leaders for a roundtable discussion on vehicle electrification in the rural southeast. The rapid growth in electric vehicles (EVs) today is part of a fundamental shift in transportation. All Americans and communities can benefit from the lower operating costs and increased economic development opportunities. Implementing charging infrastructure will also require a large-scale on-the-ground effort, which will create high-quality jobs for rural communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
This event will bring together new stakeholders and participants from previous transportation electrification roundtables to share information, develop policy plans, and form partnerships that traverse state lines.
Learn more and register at: electrificationcoalition.org/se-rural-roundtable

NC Public Health Association 2023 Fall Educational Conference
2023-09-27 19:00 - 2023-09-29 17:00 | Concord Embassy Suites, 5400 John Q. Hammons Dr NW, Concord, NC, 28027, United States
The NCPHA Fall Educational Conference gathers public health professionals at every level from students to mid-career professionals to retired experts from around the state to exchange information and create a healthier North Carolina through effective public health practice and engaged citizens. Dedicated public health professionals who want to connect with peers, pick up new ideas, and gain skills to bring back to their workplace or community are encouraged to attend.
Register by September 13 to exchange ideas, strategize new medical practices, and network with others with similar interests, goals, and backgrounds. And be sure to stop by our CleanAIRE NC exhibit to learn more about our Health Program.

How Charlotte is Going Green
2023-09-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Lenny Boy Brewing Co., 3000 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, 28217, United States
Environmental sustainability can sound like a complex global problem, and it is—but there are innovative local nonprofits working to make Charlotte a leading-edge city in environmental sustainability.
Join our Executive Director Jeffrey Robbins for a panel discussion on how environmental sustainability can transform Charlotte’s carbon footprint. The event will be held at Lenny Boy Brewing and hosted by SHARE Charlotte.
Panel Discussion: “How can Charlotteans help to create a more sustainable Charlotte?”

Jeffrey Robbins, Executive Director, CleanAIRE NC
Shannon Binns, Founder and Executive Director, Sustain Charlotte
Jane Myers, Executive Director, TreesCharlotte
Bart Landess, Executive Director, Catawba Lands Conservancy & Carolina Thread Trail
Moderated by John Searby, Executive Director of Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation and Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Attendees will have the chance to meet and network with nonprofits who are working to create a zero-waste, low-carbon future and ensuring that our surrounding rivers, land, and wildlife are being protected. Learn about ways all Charlotteans can go green, support theses nonprofits and create a more sustainable future.
Purchase tickets here.

The Smell of Money Free Film Screening
2023-09-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Davidson College, 225 Baker Drive, Davidson, NC, 28036, United States
A century after her grandfather claimed his freedom from slavery and the family land, Elsie Herring and her North Carolina community fight the world’s largest pork corporation for their freedom to enjoy fresh air, clean water, and a life without the stench of manure. Watch the trailer: smellofmoneydoc.com
Join us on Tuesday, September 26 at Davidson College for a special screening of The Smell of Money, a film about the pork industry’s impacts on eastern NC communities. Tickets are free, but seats are limited. Click here to reserve your seat.
Sponsored by CleanAIRE NC, Davidson College, and the North Carolina Conservation Network. Food will be served at 5:30pm for the first 100 attendees. Parking available at Baker Sports Complex.

Climate Week NYC and International Climate March
2023-09-17 - 2023-09-24 | New York City, NY, New York City, NY, 10017, United States
Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind, bringing together some 400 events and activities across the City of New York – in person, hybrid, and online. Each year, business leaders, political change makers, local decision takers and civil society representatives of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world, gather to drive the transition, speed up progress, and champion change that is already happening.
This year Climate Week NYC will be held from September 17 – 24, 2023. Thousands of people from across the country and the world are coming to New York on September 17 for a Climate March to demand urgent and real climate action, just ahead of the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit.

The People's Hearing
2023-09-16 11:00 - 15:00 | Rebuilding Broken Places CDC, 2105 N William Street, Goldsboro, NC, 27530, United States
Are you impacted by the smells, air, and water quality concerns from concentrated animal feeding operations/factory farms/industrial agriculture? Do you feel it is unjust that North Carolina’s environmental regulations surrounding hog, poultry, and dairy production regularly promote industry more than protect our communities?
If your answer is yes, then JOIN community members across the state for a People’s Hearing and lend your voice to the discussion about what needs to be done to protect the environment and our communities from the impacts of industrial animal agriculture!
WHERE:
Rebuilding Broken Places CDC
2105 N. William St.
Goldsboro, NC 27530
WHEN:
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lunch, travel subsidies, child care, and Spanish interpretation will be provided.
To register and for more information go to tinyurl.com/peopleshearing23
Background:
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is seeking public input on a series of general permits regulating industrial animal operations at concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), including permits governing hog production, wet poultry, cattle and biogas — a dirty source of energy that is converted from untreated waste at CAFO facilities. The existing general permits are all set to expire September 2024. They will be renewed for a 5-year term that starts October 2024 and runs until September 2029.
These permits outline how animal waste must be managed at these facilities and the rules meant to prevent waste from harming the environment and nearby communities. Unfortunately, many of these rules are outdated and ineffective, and CAFOs continue to pollute the environment and harm nearby residents across southeastern North Carolina.
The purpose of the People’s Hearing is to gather testimonies from those impacted by industrial animal operations to prove that NCDEQ must strengthen permits to protect our communities from toxic pollution.
Join us to share your story and get connected with others involved in the fight for healthy communities!

Spidey Sens-r Party: A Community Air Monitoring Effort
2023-09-09 09:00 - 14:00 | Goldsboro, NC, Goldsboro, NC, 27530, United States
The North Carolina Environmental Justice Network (NCEJN) invites you to their first-ever Spidey Sens-r participatory air monitoring effort! Spidey Sens-r is a community science project that works by collecting dust that settles on funnel weaver spider webs. Help monitor the air quality in your community by collecting spider webs from around Goldsboro.
Learn more and register for free here.
NCEJN is co-hosting this community sampling event with Down East Coal Ash Environmental and Social Justice Coalition. Down East will share concerns about current sources of air pollution in Greenville. Participants will then use Spidey Sens-r to help measure and address them.
“Spidey Sens-r” is a network of air quality monitors using spider webs. Participants will learn how to identify and collect funnel webs, log coordinates, and send them to our lab to be tested for metals. After a few demonstrations, you will go out into the community and collect these webs together. With spider webs as bioindicators, we can detect differences in air quality at the neighborhood level.
Tentative Agenda
9:00 – 9:15 AM Welcome and Registration
9:15 – 9:25 AM Spidey Sens-r Project overview
9:25 – 10:10 AM Web sampling training
10:10 – 1:00 PM Community web sampling
1:00 – 2:00 PM Lunch and closing

Don't Keep that Same Energy: 2023 Sol Summit + Kickback
2023-08-24 18:00 - 2023-08-26 22:00 | The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E 9th St, Charlotte, NC, 28215, United States
Are you ready to spark the change Charlotte and North Carolina need to create healthy, vibrant communities?
We are living in a historic moment where we have the opportunity to shape the future of our society and our planet. We are facing major challenges, such as the rollback of federal policies that protect human rights and dignity, and the massive investment of public funds in climate and environmental justice initiatives. We cannot afford to be divided or complacent. We need to stand together and fight for both causes, because they are inseparable. Environmental justice is social justice!

“Don’t Keep That Same Energy” Sol Summit 2023 is designed to break down barriers and foster cross-movement collaboration! We aim to strengthen the skills and partnerships required to create the solutions our communities deserve in order to flourish. Sol Summit brings together organizers, community members, elected officials, and the issues in a way that promotes cooperation on solutions to some of our communities’ most urgent environmental and social justice challenges.
This summit is not only for environmental justice advocates. It is for anyone who cares about social justice in any field or sector, such as housing, education, health care, re-entry, technology, food sovereignty, arts and culture, etc. If you want to make a difference in your community and the world, this summit is for you!
Learn more and get your tickets here.

Public Hearings: Duke Energy Rate Hikes
2023-08-14 19:00 - 20:00
This summer, the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) is seeking public feedback on Duke Energy’s plan to raise energy bills. The increase would disproportionately impact low-income ratepayers, requiring them to spend more of their income on electricity than those with higher incomes.
Public Hearings are scheduled for the following locations:
7/24/2023 7:00pm Forsyth County Courthouse 200 North Main Street Courtroom 1A Winston-Salem
7/26/2023 6:30pm Held remotely via Webex
7/31/2023 6:00pm Held remotely via Webex
8/14/2023 7:00pm Durham County Courthouse 510 South Dillard Street Courtroom 7D Durham
All local and surrounding area residents are encouraged to show up in support of clean, affordable energy. Learn more here >>

Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference & Expo 2023
2023-08-14 08:00 - 2023-08-16 17:00 | Raleigh Convention Center, 500 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Discover the latest and greatest in sustainable fleet technology, operations, and implementation.
Join the NC Clean Energy Technology Center, along with other leading fleets and technology providers, to share industry ideas, trends, strategies, and technologies that will improve the efficiency and sustainability of fleet operations. The event will include keynote presentations, 50+ panelists, breakout sessions, indoor vehicle/equipment displays, and plenty of networking opportunities.
Learn more and register here.

Workshop: Prepare for the Durham Energy Rate Hike Hearing
2023-08-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Center for Responsible Lending, 302 W. Main Street, Durham, NC, 27701, United States
Duke Energy hopes to increase energy rates by 17.9% over the next three years such that by 2026, the average annual residential electric bill would be about $240 higher than it is today. To share your story and prevent this energy rate increase, you can give testimony to the NC Utilities Commission at a public hearing in Durham on August, 14.
Sunrise Durham, People Power NC, and other community organizations are organizing a teach-in workshop on Thursday, August 10 from 6-8 PM at the Center for Responsible Lending to help you learn about the increases and prepare for the hearing on the 14th. Participants will walk through the energy rate increases and work on public statements together in preparation for the hearing.
RSVP at tinyurl.com/dukeratehikes if you would like to learn more and/or take action.

Broad River Summer Sweep
2023-08-05 13:00 - 17:00 | Lake Houser Put In, 1350 Lake Houser Rd, Mooresboro, NC, 28114, United States
Help MountainTrue and Broad Riverkeeper David Caldwell clean up the Broad River from 1-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 5!
The group will clean up ~five miles on one of the Broad’s most popular and scenic sections — Lake Houser to the Broad River Greenway. Please bring your boat, paddle, and lifejacket, water, snacks, sunscreen, sturdy water shoes or sneakers (no flip-flops), gloves and trash bags, towels, and a dry change of clothes. Advance registration required.

Health Benefits vs. Disbenefits from Indoor Air Cleaners
2023-08-02 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a large increase in the commercialization of air cleaners. Air purifiers minimize dust, dander, and common allergens but can still generate ozone and particulate matter.
Join the EPA’s IAQ Science Webinar to learn the benefits, dangers, and differences in commercial indoor air purification systems. The presentation will examine several types of air cleaners and compare the estimated reduction in mortality due to reduced airborne disease transmission (COVID-19 and flu) with the estimated increase in mortality due to degradation of indoor air quality. Several sensitivity studies will be presented for a range of situations.
Learn more and register.

Community of Practice Workshop: Extreme Heat Events
2023-07-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Join Greenlinks Analytics July 27th at 1pm EST/10am PST for July’s Community of Practice Workshop on the impacts of extreme heat events nationwide and how their data mapping tool, GEM, locates the neighborhoods most negatively burdened by urban heat intensity.
The Greenlink Analytics Equity Team will lead a discussion on the implications of extreme heat events on our health, housing, and bills, and approaches to mitigate its negative effects in our communities.
Register Now

Open House: Proposed Biogas Project in Gaston
2023-07-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Odom Civic Center, 221 Craige Street, Gaston, NC, 27832, United States
There will be an “Open House” on Wednesday, July 26 in Gaston County hosted by Monarch Bioenergy, a proponent of a local biogas project. We encourage you to attend the meeting to support concerned community members and ask critical questions of the company representatives about the Monarch Bioenergy project:
Open House: Proposed Biogas Project in Gaston
The Odom Civic Center
221 Craige Street, Gaston, NC 27832
Wednesday, July 26 2023
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Charlotte Moral Monday Rally
2023-07-24 18:30 - 20:30 | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East 4th Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
While the NCGA unleashes its extreme and violent agenda on the people, the Southern Piedmont Circle of the N.C. Poor People’s Campaign will hold a Moral Monday event on Mon., July 24, at 6:30pm at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. Fourth St., Uptown.
The event will feature several speakers, including persons who are impacted by poverty, racism, and discrimination against immigrants; as well as local Charlotte clergy leaders from across the religious spectrum. Musical performances will also be included in the hour-long program.
Learn more here.

Southern Climate Action Webinar
2023-07-23 12:30 - 13:30 | Virtual
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is hosting a webinar at 12:30pm on a historic opportunity for climate progress. Learn how SELC is translating recent federal law and funding into real climate progress for the South and beyond.
Don’t miss out on hearing from SELC’s President and Executive Director, DJ Gerken, and other climate leaders. Learn more and register here: southernenvironment.org/webinar-registration/

Duke Energy Rate Hikes: Pre-Hearing Webinar
2023-07-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
Duke Energy Carolinas wants to raise your energy bill by 17%! Join People Power NC for a virtual conversation at 7pm about Duke Energy’s proposal, upcoming public hearings, and how you can most effectively raise your concerns.
Learn more and register here.

"Cash-In" on Clean Energy Tour
2023-07-20 12:00 - 13:00
Join Mayor Vi Lyles and America Is All In for an expert-led workshop on how to unlock federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The event is free for leaders from business, government, and the community.
Don’t miss out: Former US EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and Charlotte Regional Business Alliance CEO Janet LaBar will be joining the event as special guests!
Thursday, July 20, 2023 @ 12:00 PM ET
Charlotte, NC
RSVP now to reserve your complimentary lunch
http://bit.ly/44b0XKm

Tracking Awareness Week 2023: Data for Action
2023-07-17 - 2023-07-21 | Nationwide, United States
The CDC’s National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program is hosting the eighth annual Tracking Awareness Week with the theme “Data for Action.” Each day of Tracking Awareness Week will highlight a different topic:

Monday: Innovation
Tuesday: Health equity
Wednesday: Data in action
Thursday: Collaboration
Friday: Data modernization

This is an opportunity to shine a light on important environmental health issues and showcase how the Tracking Program performs. Find out how you can get involved.

Webinar: Available Tools to Advance Our Understanding of Cumulative Impacts
2023-07-11 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is upgrading its tools and techniques to measure community assets and vulnerabilities related to chemical stressors (air, land, and water) and non-chemical stressors (health and weather). Join the Available Tools to Advance Our Understanding of Cumulative Impacts webinar on July 11 to see three tools designed to improve our understanding of these determinants and their impact on disadvantaged communities.
Register here >>

Environmental Justice Listening Session
2023-06-17 12:30 - 15:00 | Camino Health Center, 201 Stetson Dr, Charlotte, NC, 28262, United States
The Office of Governor Roy Cooper wants to hear about your ideas for achieving environmental justice in North Carolina.
Snacks, childcare, and Spanish interpretation services will be provided.
If you would like to preview topics that will be discussed and/or provide feedback online, please visit forms.office.com/g/EfYxujv2E4

Women in Green
2023-05-24 16:00 - 18:00 | Multi-City Celebreation
This year, USGBC Carolinas and E2 Environmental Entrepreneurs will co-host Women in Green, celebrating the impact of women professionals in the environmental field and sharing experiences. The event will convenie with green leaders to celebrate in four locations on May 24: Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, and Greenville, SC.
Learn more and reserve your spot here.

Environmental Justice Listening Session
2023-05-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Charlotte (Location TBD), Charlotte, NC, United States
The Office of Governor Roy Cooper wants to hear about your ideas for achieving environmental justice in North Carolina. Snacks, childcare, and Spanish interpretation services will be provided.

RiverFest 2023
2023-05-13 11:00 - 16:00 | Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park, 1400 Catawba St, Belmont, NC, 28012, United States
Celebrate summer and the Catawba River at RiverFest 2023. Catawba Riverkeeper’s annual family- and dog-friendly event is back at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park on Saturday, May 13!
Walk through the exhibitor zone, take your kids to the Education Pavilion, listen to live music, kayak on the river, and enjoy food and beverages from local food trucks and craft breweries. You can also shop for Catawba Riverkeeper apparel, find unique handmade items at the Artisan Tent!
Learn more here!

Marine Debris Removal and Living Shoreline Maintenance
2023-05-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Morris Landing Clean Water Preserve, 899-837, State Rd 1538, Holly Ridge, NC, 28445, United States
Volunteers will work to remove marine debris from the estuarine shoreline, roadside, and oyster shell. Volunteers will also help to maintain the living shorelines by replacing and adjusting oyster shell bags on the reef.
No special skills or knowledge are required. You will receive the basic training needed. Volunteers should bring a reusable water bottle, hat, and sunglasses. Please dress for the weather in clothes that are comfortable and that you don’t mind getting dirty. Close-toed shoes are required. Gloves, boots, trash pickers, and trash bags will all be provided. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian with them.
Learn more and register here.

Public Stakeholder Input Session: Animal Waste Management General Permits
2023-05-09 18:00 - 21:00 | Sampson County Exposition Center, 414 Warsaw Road, Clinton, NC, 28328, United States
The NC Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public stakeholder input session on May 9 as part of the renewal process for six Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) General Permits. Input from the event, as well as input received during the 60-day comment period through June 5, will be considered in the development of the draft permits which will become effective in 2024.
More information can be found here.
The public stakeholder input session will be held at the Sampson County Expo Center’s Heritage Hall, 414 Warsaw Road in Clinton. Members of the public can drop-in throughout the event and visit several information stations focused on aspects of the existing permits to provide their comments and ask questions. Division of Water Resources staff will make a brief presentation hourly to give an overview of the program and current permits.
Through June 5, members of the public and interested parties are invited to submit comments on three existing state general permits for animal operations and three existing state general permits for animal farm digester systems. These comments will be considered during the process of drafting renewed permits.

Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board Meeting
2023-05-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Clinton City Hall, 221 Lisbon St, Clinton, NC, 28328, United States
The NC Dept. of Environmental Quality Secretary’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board will hold its quarterly business meeting in-person on May 4 at 3 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend and/or provide comments either in-person or online.
More information, including a speaker sign-up form, can be found here.
