Tennessee Climate Office established at ETSU. "After several years of careful planning, the Climate Office for the state of Tennessee has been officially recognized at East Tennessee State University by the American Association of State Climatologists. The Tennessee Climate Office at ETSU has been fulfilling the basic responsibilities of a state climate office since its establishment in 2016, providing climate data services to state agencies, researchers and citizens and studying the impact of drought, extreme rainfall, severe storms and other hazards." Read more - Johnson City Press - Feb. 1, 2021.
Rutherford seeks landfill solutions. "Rutherford County seeks options to deal with its solid waste needs once Middle Point Landfill reaches capacity... The company reported to the state in 2020 that Middle Point has '10 years and 8 months of remaining life.' County officials worry the landfill could close much sooner and are examining solutions that can include composting, recycling and converting waste to energy." Keep reading article by Scott Broden - Murfreesboro Daily News Journal - Feb. 11, 2021.
Biden’s new conservation corps stirs hopes of nature-focused hiring spree. "As part of his recent climate policy spree, Biden announced the establishment of a “Civilian Climate Corps Initiative” that could harness the energy of the very generation that must face – and solve – the climate crisis by putting them to work in well-paying conservation jobs... [ it's ] a step toward fulfilling Biden’s promise to get the US on track to conserve 30% of lands and oceans by 2030." Read more by Paola Rosa-Aquino - The Guardian - Feb. 9, 2021.
Tennessee’s Eastman Chemical subpoenaed by Mexican authorities for alleged cartel connections. "A subpoena issued to Eastman Chemical on Oct. 2 by Mexico’s Federal Public Ministry seeks information on Eastman’s relationships with Mexico-based organizations that supply tree resin, which is distilled into turpentine and an industrial substance known as “rosin” for use in manufacturing of adhesives, chewing gum, inks and other products." Read more by Anita Wadhwani - Tennessee Lookout - Jan. 28, 2021.
WATCH: “Earthrise” poem by Amanda Gorman. The U.S. Youth Poet Laureate rose to national acclaim with her inauguration poem “The Hill We Climb.” But did you know she also wrote a moving environmental poem for the Climate Reality Project’s 24 Hours of Reality back in 2018? Watch it here (4 min watch).
"Pine resin harvesting is an ecologically sustainable business that provides a livelihood for thousands of rural families [ in Mexico ]. A single tree can produce resin for 80 years, keeping people employed for generations. Forest workers, called tappers, make cuts into the pine tree bark for the resin to drip into small containers—a procedure roughly similar to tapping maple trees for the sap that is boiled to make pancake syrup. The resin is transferred to larger containers, and delivered to community collection points by backpack, mule, or pickup truck. From there, it is sold to distilleries that refine the liquid resin into solid rosin," and it’s an ingredient in thousands of products across different consumer categories. Photo by Juan Tapia. Read more by J. Michael Waller for The Daily Beast, who first reported on this story back in 2016.
Tennessee News
From Memphis To Tunica: Concerns about TVA’s coal ash contamination, remediation plans. "The Tennessee Valley Authority may have a big problem—and one that could soon spill over into Mississippi. The federally owned corporation manages the now-defunct Allen Fossil Plant in Memphis, Tenn., where environmental experts claim ash ponds have been contaminating groundwater said to be locally connected to the Memphis Sand Aquifer since at least 2017. This aquifer is the primary source of drinking water for the city of Memphis and serves other communities across the Mid-South." Read more by Christian Middleton - Mississippi Free Press - Jan. 26, 2021.
Memphis, Shelby County politicians weigh in on Byhalia pipeline: Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, Councilman Jeff Warren moved after hearing resident complaints. "Memphis City Councilman Jeff Warren plans to introduce a resolution next weekthat encourages Memphis Light Gas and Water Division to oppose the Byhalia Connection Pipeline project because of potential risks to the Memphis Sand Aquifer, which supplies water to the city. 'We have to protect that aquifer,” Warren said. “That’s a huge situation.'" Read more by Carrington J. Tatum - MLK50.com - Jan. 29, 2021.
Opinion: MLGW needs to provide Memphis' aquifer protection from TVA. "...We understand that TVA is currently a customer of MLGW with respect to water. But as the steward of our drinking water supply, MLGW must consider the massive amount of water necessary—two billion gallons annually—and whether it is best to cool the plant with drinking water given the availability of recycled wastewater across the street." Read more by Ward Archer, Guest Columnist, founder & president of Protect our Aquifer - Commercial Appeal - Feb. 17, 2021.
Take Action to keep TN coal ash workers and nearby communities safe. Take a minute to sign this petition to tell Commissioner David Salyers of Tennessee Dept of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) that workers' health and safety must be protected during the removal of coal ash from TVA sites. Sign here!
Report ranks Tennessee 20th for transportation electrification. "While automakers with assembly plants in Tennessee are ramping up plans to churn out more electric vehicles, the state is receiving middling grades for policies promoting zero-emissions transportation. According to the report released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Tennessee ranks 20th in the country. Top-rated California received 91 out of 100 possible..." Read more by Erik Schelzig - Tennessee Journal - Feb. 3, 2021.
Care NET cleans up Holston River site. On January 29th, 10 members of Care NET, a Community Conservation Committee of Sierra Club, came together to clean up the Holston River/ Cherokee Lake TVA site. They collected 84 bags of trash, 9 tires, 2 rusted box springs, 1 mattress, 1 fuel tank, 1 couch, assorted rugs, electronics and a plastic lounge chair from the flood plain near Clouds Creek and the TVA access road, Goat Mountain. Great work, Care NET! Info submitted by Joanne Irvin.
The original Civilian Conservation Corps, the first of the New Deal agencies, was created in 1933 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to preserve and nurture America’s natural resources. The CCC brought forests back from the brink of destruction, established recreational destinations, and provided work for tens of thousands of young men from the Volunteer state.The Tennessee unit is pictured above spreading sand on the beach at Cumberland Homesteads State Park. Pres. Biden hopes to rekindle this initiative. Learn more about the CCC in Tennessee here.
TVA Watch
TVA turns to natural gas, EVs: What it means for Biden. "The nation's largest public power utility this week kicked off a sweeping electric vehicle charging expansion in Tennessee and announced progress in its goal of slashing carbon emissions 80% by 2040. The Tennessee Valley Authority also took a procedural step forward in an advanced nuclear reactor proposal at a site southwest of Knoxville, Tenn. But to environmentalists' chagrin, TVA also announced it would replace shuttered fossil fuel power plants with new natural gas-fired generation in Kentucky and Alabama. And the federal agency has not revealed plans to fully decarbonize its electricity mix by 2035 — potentially putting it on a crash course with a signature Biden administration clean energy goal." Read more byKristi E. Swartz - E&E News reporter - Feb. 4, 2021.
TVA proposes to build new gas plants at shuttered coal sites - Sierra Club objects to continued burning of fossil fuels. "Despite opposition from some environmental groups against continuing to burn fossil fuels, the Tennessee Valley Authority is proposing to replace aging gas plants in Memphis and New Johnsonville, Tennessee, with new gas-fired combustion turbines in Kentucky and Alabama." Read more by Dave Flessner - Times Free Press - Feb. 2, 2021.
TVA green-lights new potential fees on distributed solar by local utilities. "TVA authorized local power companies (LPCs) to charge fees to existing customers with solar, effectively penalizing them for investments, unless prohibited by an existing contract." Read more by Daniel Tait - Energy and Policy Institute - Feb 1, 2021.
Power struggle: TVA distributors want access to transmission lines to bring in outside electricity. Regional utility boards and corporations "are asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to order TVA to transmit the outside electricity to them on TVA lines. Attorney William DeGrandis said TVA is charging "excessive bundled rates" and using "draconian" measures in its power contracts to block open access to cheaper power." Read more byDave Flessner - Chattanooga Times Free Press - Feb. 8, 2021.
TVA's Bull Run Fossil Plant is pictured here just beyond the Kids Palace Playground in Clinton, TN. Photo: J. Todd Waterman. Donations to the Kingston Worker Assistant Fund can be made here through the East Tennessee Foundation.
Events
Important Note: The Sierra Club's Safety Management Team has extended its prohibition on both travel and in-person meetings through July 4, 2021. The Chapter ExCom will meet virtually March 13th.
Listed in order of occurrence:
Deep Decarbonization of Transportation: How Can We Do That? This virtual forum sponsored by the UTK Baker Center will feature Dr. David Greene discussing technologies, policies, and behavioral changes necessary to reduce transportation's GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions to near zero by 2050. Feb. 26, 2021 at 10:00-11:00 am ET. Zoom link here.
Public comments needed at virtual public meeting! TVA has announced it will be doing a PEIS, a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, on its plans to build an “Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technological Park” at the Bear Creek site near Oak Ridge. Public meeting is March 1 at 6:00-8:00 pm ET. Access the event details here. It's important to ask them to extend the deadline for comments, and let TVA know that advanced nuclear is not the best option.
Tennessee Invasive Plant Council presentation. The Tennessee Invasive Plant Council is committed to educating about all issues related to invasive non-native plants. TN-IPC reaches out to anyone with an interest in the problem of invasive exotic plants, their identification, impacts, and control methods. Come learn with Kitty McKracken, President of TN-IPC on Tues. March 9, 2021 at 7:00-8:30 pm ET. Register for the Zoom event through this Campfire Event Link.
Tennessee Tree Day is March 20th! Tennessee residents are invited to beautify their properties and communities by planting trees on “Tennessee Tree Day.” The effort is organized every year by Tennessee Environmental Council, a non-profit organization based in Nashville. Trees may be reserved at TEC’s website now through March 7th. Participants are asked to make a suggested donation of $1.99 for every tree they reserve for planting on March 20.
UT Arboretum Society sponsors regular webinars about nature and the environment. Upcoming webinars (usually runs 7:00-8:00 pm ET) include: Time to Feather your Nest (Mar. 4), Smart Yards (Mar. 11), Froggy Went A Courtin' (Mar. 23). Register here.
'163 Tennessee & Me' is a year-long campaign to bring awareness to the 163 Threatened and Endangered Species listed in Tennessee and to promote progressive actions for their survival. Follow on FB for updates and meeting information.
Special Features
Dear Eartha: Advice from an Eco-Guru
Dear Eartha,
I've been hearing about the term greenwashing and would like to know more. I work in PR and am familiar with whitewashing, but what is greenwashing, and is it something that only applies to companies? Do you think TVA is guilty of greenwashing?
—Wise to Marketing
Dear Wise,
"Greenwashing” is to investors what “green bashing” is to the Sunrise Movement! Both actions are concerted and underhanded.
The term “greenwashing” originated in the 1980s when hotels began leaving little signs in the bathrooms suggesting that by reusing your towel instead of having it washed after a single use, you could “conserve the Earth’s vital resources.” What they did not tell guests is that less laundry saves the hotel lots of money. “Greenwashing” is now used to describe manipulative marketing practices used by companies to claim or imply that their products are more environmentally sound than they really are. Notorious offenders are ExxonMobil and Chevron. We savvy consumers must get even smarter!
Utility companies are also being called out for greenwashing. The Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign recently examined 79 operating companies to see if their words match their actions. Dozens of these companies have publicly committed to becoming “carbon neutral” by 2050. However, the analysis found that most of these companies are “not transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy fast enough” to meet their goals (see “The Dirty Truth About Utility Climate Pledges”).
Based on Sierra Club’s assessment of progress on three goals (retiring coal, not building new gas plants, and increasing clean energy), TVA earned a grade of ‘F’ with an overall score of 9 (yes – out of 100!). Over a dozen companies scored a 0, and only two companies received ‘A’ grades: Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSCO) scored 82 and 87 points, respectively (see "Utility Dive"). So, two out of 79 utilities – gee, impressive.
Most companies aren’t grasping the urgency of our climate situation. “What utilities do or don’t do between 2020 and 2030 will either seal our fate or deliver us from climate catastrophe” (“The Dirty Truth”). “Utility Dive” reported a few companies questioned the SC’s science and the urgency or mandate of a 2030 delivery. But, according to the Sierra Club, 2030 “is important in order to keep climate change limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius.”
I'm thinking, Wise, that you feel the urgency in 2021 that the rest of the cogent world feels. Cut out the greenwashing and green bashing! We have work to do, and accountability will have to be our defining battle cry.
Signing up and signing off,
Eartha
Dear Eartha is penned by Rita Bullinger. Got an environmental query for Eartha? Submit your question to "Dear Eartha" via Enews.SierraTN@gmail.com
Species Spotlight
This month's featured species is: Bloodroot (sanguinaria canadensis)
Bloodroot stems each yield a single flower: 8-10 petals of white, with many yellow stamens in the center. Photo: Missouri Botanical Garden.
Bloodroot is a perennial wildflower that is part of the Poppy family. It makes excellent groundcover, rising 6-10" tall and blooms March - April.
The name Bloodroot is due to the red juice produced by its roots and stem. Native Americans used this juice to to dye clothing, baskets, and as war paint.
The red juice can be fatal if ingested, so wear gloves when you handle the roots of this plant!
When the sun goes down or it is very cloudy, these flowers close up and reopen when sunlight returns.
Volunteer Opportunities
Defender Fund Volunteer
The Tennessee Chapter lobbyist represents our environmental interests and our lobbying program in the Tennessee State Legislature. His salary needs to be funded. We need someone to take over fundraising for the Sierra Club Defenders of Tennessee. The work is seasonal, light, and can all be done from home. If you have some facility for writing and are interested in the position, please contact Sherry Loller for more information at sherryloller@hotmail.com or 615-889-2968.
Paperless Delivery
Are you a Sierra member who has been receiving our bi-monthly print publication, the Tennes-Sierran? You can now opt out of getting a paper copy of the newspaper and instead receive it digitally as an email attachment. To request paperless delivery, open this form to make your request.
Contact Us
Do you have a program or speaker idea for your Group? An issue you're particularly passionate about? Do you have a story idea for the Tennes-Sierran or the e-newsletter? Let us know! Look through our past programs for inspiration.
We are the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, the world’s oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. With over 3.8 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.
