Rachel Maddow reports on the guilty plea by Duke Energy to nine criminal violations of the federal Clean Water Act, vindicating Riverkeeper activists who caught the North Carolina company in the act of illegal polluting.
Our Board Chairman Peter Krull at the White House for a meeting with the Council for Environmental Quality
During the last week of April, MountainTrue Board Chairman Peter Krull was in Washington, D.C., advocating for a number of environmental and climate change policies. The trip was sponsored by E2, Environmental Entrepreneurs, which is part of the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). MountainTrue has worked with E2 in the past to get entrepreneurs more involved with environmental policy. While in D.C., Peter and his team met with members of the administration, including the Undersecretaries of Transportation and Agriculture, and the President’s Council on Environmental Quality. They also had meetings with nine Senate offices, including staff from North Carolina Sens. Tillis and Burr. They met with five House offices, including staff from Rep. Mark Meadows’ office. Peter’s group had multiple objectives for their meetings: — To demonstrate to legislators and the administration the importance of marrying economic and environmental interests — To establish relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle And to discuss our policy agenda, which includes: — The importance of incentives and renewable energy tax credits — Clean energy financing opportunities — Climate Change legislation and rules — The EPA Clean Power Plan — A Transportation Bill that is financially and environmentally sustainable — Continued support for the military’s research into renewable energy MountainTrue is very proud to have Peter on our team, advocating for our environment in Western North Carolina — and in the halls of Washington, D.C.
Meeting with Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, and his staff.
Join us from 11 a.m – 1 p.m. May 13 on Halifax Mall in Raleigh to call for the state of North Carolina to take urgent action to help communities living with pollution and impacts from industrial swine and poultry production.
Most North Carolina residents, except those living in “hog country” and near poultry operations, are unaware of how much environmental damage and human pain and suffering industrial meat production inflicts on people and their environment. For too long, industrial meat operations in North Carolina and across the country have been disproportionately located in communities of color where residents are forced to endure the smell, water quality impacts and the embarrassment associated with the facilities operating near their homes. Meanwhile, State officials have turned a blind eye to the impacts on local communities while catering to the interests of multinational corporations that dictate industry practices.
This past September, Waterkeeper Alliance, North Carolina Environmental Justice Network and Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help, represented by Earthjustice and the University of North Carolina Center for Civil Rights, filed a complaint with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Civil Rights alleging that lax regulation of hog waste disposal by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) discriminates against minority communities in eastern North Carolina. And in February, the U.S. EPA determined that an investigation is warranted.
Esteemed leaders of the environmental and civil rights movements will gather in downtown Raleigh to urge the State of North Carolina to take much-needed action to set things right and call on citizens to demand clean water and healthy air for ALL communities.
Speakers include:
On tour in: Highlands — June 13 Asheville — June 23
Join us as one of the nation’s premiere environmental and adventure film festivals comes back to Western North Carolina. 
For nearly a decade, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival has been touring the country and it’s coming back this summer to make its fourth annual appearance in Western North Carolina, and first in Macon County. We invite you to join us for these exciting events.
The beautiful cinematography illustrates the Earth’s beauty, the challenges facing our planet and the work communities are doing to protect the environment. It will leave you with a sense of wonder, a deep appreciation for the natural word and inspire you to take action.
This year’s lineup features films juried by the South Yuba River Citizens League which showcase the theme “A Wild Life.”
Festival-goers can expect to themes of wildlife and nature; land preservation; water and fish conservation; energy & climate change; and adventure with a purpose intermingled with charming, child-friendly short films. Bring the whole family for great films, food and drink.
Two Festivals:
Highlands, NC
Asheville, NC
For more information, contact MountainTrue’s AmeriCorps Education & Outings Coordinator Rachel Stevens at (828) 258-8737, ext. 215 or Rachel@mountaintrue.org.
Join us and help restore native plant communities by controlling non-native invasive plants at Richmond Hill Park. This is the City of Asheville’s only forested park and is home to many special native plant and animal species!
We’ll provide all gloves, equipment and instruction needed. Please bring snacks, water, rain jacket and wear long pants, long sleeve shirt and closed toe shoes (no open shoes or sandals allowed for safety).
Learn from MountainTrue’s Public Lands Biologist Josh Kelly about fire ecology in the Blue Ridge Mountains!
When: Saturday, May 2 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Singcat Ridge; to carpool from Asheville, meet at the Westgate Shopping Center at 8:45 a.m. Participants may meet us instead in the parking area at the intersection of N.C. Hwy 80 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at 10 a.m.
What to expect: This all-day outdoor seminar will include a moderate to difficult hike with stops throughout during which we will discuss fire effects on vegetation, wildlife responses to fire, fire ignition types, fuel, and behavior.
What to bring: Participants should wear sturdy hiking and bring rain gear, lunch, and water.
FREE! All are welcome!