Anderson County residents came to a meeting last night with questions for Tennessee’s regulators about coal ash in their community.
What they got Thursday night was a 10-minute presentation by the Tennessee Valley Authority on its plans to reroute 3,500 feet of Worthington Branch creek to make way for a new coal ash dump in the Claxton community.
John LeCroy, a public relations official with Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, then told the crowd they were free to wander the room and ask questions of TVA. “You can mingle,” he said.
The crowd of citizens gathered in a cafeteria at the Claxton Elementary School erupted in anger. “I don’t trust the TVA,” Anderson County resident Hal Ballew said. “My trust is in TDEC. We don’t have a chance … We need someone to protect the little guy. We just want to have homes that are safe … I feel threatened now. We want you to make our homes safe.”
More residents chimed in, demanding the chance to ask questions of TDEC — not TVA — and in a format in which everyone could hear both the questions and the answers.
Hal Ballew asks TVA and TDEC officials a question during a public meeting held at Claxton Elementary School on Thurs., Oct. 24, 2019. (Photo: Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel)
ACTION ALERT!
Submit comments to TDEC before November 3
Coal ash is one of the largest waste streams in the country and contains dangerous chemicals like arsenic, mercury, chromium, selenium, lead, and boron.
TVA is seeking a permit to expand coal ash disposal at their Bull Run coal plant even though they have not finished their state ordered Environmental Investigation Plan of potential impacts to groundwater and surface water, and in spite of community concerns.
The proposed permit would reroute approximately 3,503 feet of Worthington Branch to construct a coal ash landfill on previously uncontaminated land and the permit would allow for future coal ash disposal for up to the next 15 1/2 years. This despite TVA’s recent decision to close the Bull Run Plant in only 4 years.
The public health hazards and environmental threats to nearby communities from coal ash pollution have been known for many years, and include increased risk of cancer, learning disabilities, neurological disorders, birth defects, reproductive failure, and asthma.
This premature proposal to expand coal ash disposal at Bull Run would move coal ash even closer to local homes and residential areas than it already is.
Why young activists are pushing Nashville's Major John and Rep. Jim Cooper to address climate change
By Yihyun Jeong - Nashville Tennessean - Oct. 24, 2019
Just a few weeks into his term as Nashville's top official, Mayor John Cooper hosted a listening session over coffee along Nolensville Pike to speak on issues important to residents.
It was the start, his administration said, of a monthly series for the new mayor to get feedback from constituents. "I'm here to find the right questions to ask and to be responsive to the people in our city," Cooper said at Red Bicycle Coffee on Oct. 18.
But there was one conversation Cooper, who recently won the mayoral race in a landslide victory — "70-30," as he frequently touts — didn't seem to want to have that morning.
"I was wondering, what about the climate crisis doesn't qualify as an emergency in your eyes?" activist Eli Motycka asked. "When will it be a priority, and why is that not right now?"
"Of course it is an emergency," Cooper quickly said. But teacher pay, he said, "is something I can do something about... You tell me the two things I can do between now and 9 o'clock," the mayor said, turning the attention back to Motycka.
But as soon as Motycka brought up how Cooper could sign an executive order to declare the climate crisis an emergency, Cooper cut him off. "Other than that," Cooper said in a clipped tone. "I worry that's just wasting a piece of paper. It has to be a real action."
Then he pivoted to take a question on the fate of Nashville's Major League Soccer stadium.
On September 30, youth and students participated in a sit-in at the Mayor’s office, demanding that Mayor John Cooper declare a climate emergency. Photo courtesy of Sunrise Movement Nashville's Facebook page.
Sounding an alarm about the health of the Mississippi River
By Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell - TriState Defender - Sept. 30, 2019
The assertion was sobering: Eroding topsoil flowing from farmlands in the North contaminates the Mississippi River with deadly pesticides, fertilizers and other harmful chemicals.
Mayors, legislators and conservation advocates convened in Memphis last week to tackle environmental concerns about the “Mighty Mississippi.” The 2019 Annual Mississippi River Legislative Caucus positioned legislators alongside a second assembly of officials attending the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiatives (MRCTI).
Both agendas conveyed alarm for the deteriorating health of Mississippi River water. There even was concern expressed that the Memphis-area’s prized Artesian Wells could be in danger.
“People still fish in that river,” said State Rep. G.A. Hardaway (District 83). “They catch catfish and actually eat them. Catfish are bottom feeders. The river is contaminated and that is endangering our population.
“The most affected are the poor. Where does flooding begin? In communities of color, where drainage backs up and contaminated water rises.”
MRCTI, an association of mayors, had among its headliners former U.N. Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, now executive director of the Andrew Young Foundation, which promotes human rights around the globe. Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon welcomed delegates to the Mid-South.
“Changing the world happens one step at a time, through acts of leadership and courage,” said Young, offering encouragement for “what might seem to others an impossible task."
Mayors, legislators and conservation advocates convened in Memphis to tackle environmental concerns about the “Mighty Mississippi.” (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
The Tennessee Valley Authority is warming up to large-scale solar projects in the region even as it is freezing a program to buy back solar power from residential and small business customers.
“We know we’re on the right path to incorporate increasing amounts of solar into the mix,’’ TVA chairman and Memphis attorney John Ryder told a crowd Wednesday of more than 200 at the Tennessee Valley Solar Conference in Franklin, Tennessee. He said utility-scale solar is better for all ratepayers.
Chris Hansen, TVA’s director of origination and renewables, said utility-scale solar projects generate power for TVA at a price as low as 3 cents per kilowatt-hour. Residential and small business rooftop solar costs TVA as much as 9 cents per kilowatt-hour, making it less economical.
Utility-scale is often defined as any solar project of more than 50 megawatts capacity, such as the U.S. Navy’s 53 MW facility in Millington, a partnership of the city of Millington, the TVA, Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division and Silicon Ranch Corp.
The shift is an important change for the solar industry in Tennessee Valley, as much of the region depends on the Tennessee Valley Authority exclusively to generate power. Solar is becoming increasingly popular in the Southeast.
Cost drives climate decisions in largest US public power company
By Abby Smith - Washington Examiner - Sept. 26, 2019
The chief executive of America's largest public power company sees everything, including cutting greenhouse gases to address climate change, through the lens of affordability.
Jeff Lyash, president and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, said the perspective is to the power company's benefit because it allows the most greenhouse gas cuts without its customers breaking the bank. It's a framing that draws criticism from environmental and clean energy advocates who say the Tennessee Valley Authority should be looking at all ways to slash its emissions to meet customer demand.
"What I believe we should be doing is trying to reduce our economy-wide carbon emissions, but do it in a way that people can afford, that people can and are willing to pay for," Lyash told the Washington Examiner in a wide-ranging interview at the National Press Club in Washington.
The Tennessee Valley Authority, which provides power to the seven states in the Tennessee Valley, reduced carbon emissions by more than 55% below 2005 levels. The power producer will get to a 60% cut by the end of next year, all while keeping electric rates for its customers flat for the last six years, Lyash said.
Lyash said the Tennessee Valley Authority's electric rates are lower than 70% of utilities in the country — a point of pride for the newly minted CEO who has helmed the public power company for just seven months. Lyash previously headed Ontario Power Generation Inc., one of Canada's largest utilities.
For Lyash, cutting carbon emissions effectively and affordably means getting the biggest bang for the buck. That means continuing to shut down coal-fired power, but it also means weighing whether it's worth it to go all the way to net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century — a goal one of his former employers, North Carolina-based Duke Energy, set just last week.
Former Tennessee Gov. Bredesen introduces renewable energy firm
By Jonathan Matisse - Associated Press - Oct. 21, 2019
A new business venture by former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen takes on global warming by helping companies fund solar panels in communities with dirty-power electric grids.
The Democrat plans to introduce Clearloop on Tuesday at a conference headlined by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. It's Bredesen's first big public foray since losing a U.S. Senate bid last year. Former campaign staffers Bob Corney and Laura Zapata are teaming up with him in the company.
Clearloop will offer short-term agreements that enable companies to compensate for their carbon emissions impact by paying to fund new solar panels in communities with the dirtiest electric grids.
The agreements would offset companies' carbon footprints, either product by product or service by service. The companies' labels can then feature a symbol customers can use to track their purchases to the corresponding solar panels built.
Bredesen believes this idea will make it easier to reduce the health and environmental impact of carbon emissions by sidestepping the years-long renewable energy contracts that some larger companies agree to as they seek recognition for trying to curb climate change.
Sierra now offering electronic voting of state leaders!
Now members can vote either electronically or with the traditional paper ballot to elect State and Group Executive Committee (Ex-Com) members.
The recent issue of the Tennes-Sierran contains ballots for the State At-Large Executive Committee (ExCom) and the four Tennessee Group committees. Here's what you need to know to vote electronically.
How does the electronic voting process work? In early November an email will be sent with an invitation to vote electronically. This email will contain a link to the Sierra Club ballot website keyed to your Sierra Club membership number. Members will be able to select their Group from a drop down list and only their Group’s ballot will be presented.
How do I vote with a paper ballot? To use the paper ballot, complete page 4 of the recent Tennes-Sierran for the Chapter ExCom, and the appropriate page (5-8) for your Group ExCom. Further instructions are on the ballots.
Can I vote both on paper and electronically? No, please vote using one method only. Voting with both will complicate the vote counting process because the Election Committee must verify that no one has voted twice.
Will both members in a joint membership be able to vote? Yes. Information will be provided.
How can I learn about the candidates? Candidate biographies are included on the ballots in the Tennes-Sierran. The e-mail about electronic voting will have a link to the biographies on the Chapter’s website.
How can I be sure I will receive the email about voting electronically? To receive this email invitation that enables you to vote electronically you must have a valid email address on file linked to your membership number. Also, you must not have opted out of receiving emails from the Sierra Club. If you are unsure about your email or opt-in status, please contact Member Care immediately at member.care@sierraclub.org or (415) 557-1100. If possible, have your Sierra Club member number handy. This can be found to the left of your name on the Tennes-Sierran, or the Sierra magazine.
CORRECTION: The paper ballot for Harvey Broome Group Executive Committee 2020-2021 Term incorrectly states to vote for "four (4)" members. It should have said "six (6)" members. The text should read as follows: "Please vote for the election of six (6) members of the Harvey Broome Group."
Clarksville Sierra members participate in Red River cleanup
Sierra Club Clarksville-Montgomery County and friends attended the Red River cleanup on October 19, 2019. Periodic cleanups are part of the Cumberland River Compact’s “Adopt a Stream” program, and include support from the City of Clarksville’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation, as well as Montgomery County Schools’ STEM program. Thanks to participation by students from West Creek and Clarksville High Schools!
Are you a numbers-oriented person with a bit of free time? The TN Chapter is in need of a Vice-Treasurer, who will step up to Treasurer in 2021. Plenty of hands-on training can be provided. A bookkeeper does the major reports (Yay!). For more information, please contact Treasurer Alice Demetreon at Demetreon1981@gmail.com or call/text (660) 247-2288.
Dear Eartha: Advice from an Eco-Guru
Dear Eartha, I recently listened to an NPR report on an environmental activist group called Extinction Rebellion. The NYTimes reported they staged a death-in rebel action near the Stock Exchange on Wall Street, dousing the bull statue with fake blood, and non-violently courting possible arrest. Can you tell me more about this group and how I can get involved? Do I have to live in NYC or London to participate in their rebellion? —Still Questioning Authority in Appalachia
Dear Still Q-ing, Right arm! Questioning and questing gets us out of our recliners, off our bean bags, and into the streets – or at least into our front yards. Asking questions begins the revolution every time, and always.
I, too, have been curious about Extinction Rebellion (XR). David Wallace-Wells, author of The Uninhabitable Earth, in an interview on PBS Newshour, commented that while recycling and solar panels are important, the truly significant impact on climate change will occur through systemic governmental policies. According to Wikipedia, “Extinction Rebellion is a non-political movement with the stated aim of using civil disobedience to compel government action on climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and the risk of social and ecological collapse.”
XR has a very smart basis of political action theory. Their website states: Conventional approaches of voting, lobbying, petitions and protest have failed because powerful political and economic interests prevent change. Our strategy is therefore one of non-violent, disruptive civil disobedience – a rebellion.
They cite historical evidence to suggest that 3.5% of any given population must participate in change in order for it to stick. In the US, that amounts to 115 million people actively protesting. Citizens of a democracy, XR says, have the right to protest; it’s part of our legacy and historically has changed the hearts and minds of masses of people who influence their leaders to enact change. It’s not always swift, can be painful, even deadly, but eventually it’s proven to work.
I reached out to them at press@risingup.org.uk to find out about XR’s presence in the American South. No XR protests are planned in the southern US., but lots of local protests targeting specific areas of activism are always popping up.
Environmentalists from John Muir to Greta Thunberg have spoken truth to power—through direct action. So, Still Questioning, my advice is to find a protest group you respect. Sierra Club TN has lots of ways to practice activism—start with the action items in this newsletter! Just don't stop there. The most important thing is to act. Now.
And, Still, when you show up, look around. I’ll be right out there with you.
Your very own eco-guru, Eartha
Got an environmental query for Eartha? Submit your question to "Dear Eartha" via Enews.SierraTN@gmail.com
Randy Hedgepath captured the Witch Hazel up close, October 2009 at Greeter Falls.
This shrub or small tree is one of the last to bloom, in November and into December.
The most common witch hazel species is Hamamelis virginiana. Japanese and Chinese species were brought to the US in the late 1800s and slightly later.
Witch hazel has been used for centuries for a variety of medicinal purposes. It is now used as a source of astringent in cosmetics.
Using knowledge he learned from local Native Americans, Thomas Dickinson built a witch hazel distillery in 1866 and concocted a libation of 14% alcohol to 86% double-distilled witch hazel. Cheers!
Randy Hedgepath, Charlie High, and others admire a witch hazel tree on December 1, 2018 at Edgar Evins State Park in middle Tennessee.
John Muir (1838-1914) was America's most famous and influential naturalist and conservationist. His early experiences in Yosemite Valley led him to found the Sierra Club in 1892 in order "to make the mountains glad." His words and deeds helped inspire Pres. Roosevelt's innovative conservation programs, including establishing the first National Monuments as well as Yosemite National Park.
Muir has been called "The Father of our National Parks," and "Wilderness Prophet."
Perhaps his greatest legacy is not even wilderness preservation or national parks as such, but his teaching us the essential characteristic of the science of ecology, the interrelatedness of all living things. He summed it up nicely: "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."
We are the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, the world’s oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. With over 3.5 million members and supporters, the Sierra Club has the resources to empower people and to influence public policy through community activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation.
Our mission is to Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet.
