YOU'RE INVITED: Sierra Club Tennessee Chapter Winter Retreat - January 17-19th at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Early bird pricing by Jan. 9th! Join us for the annual Winter Retreat. Expect food, fellowship, entertainment, hikes, and environmental planning with Sierra Club members from across Tennessee. If cost is a barrier, scholarships are available. Children under 16 FREE!
RSVP and details here.
Sierra Club Survey: Input needed! Sierra Club Tennessee is embarking on a strategic planning process to carve out its organizational direction over the next 3-5 years. As a supporter of this organization, please share your feedback to inform and have a voice in this process by January 31, 2025. Your time and input is greatly appreciated! 8-question survey here.
National Park City Update: Chattanooga. Organizers have outpaced their goal of 5,000 signatures to support the goal for Chattanooga to become North America’s first National Park City! Signatures still welcome here.
$890K Grant to Support Tennessee’s Shift to Zero-Emission Trucks.
"The EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant program, created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, aims to replace heavy-duty internal combustion engine vehicles with zero-emission alternatives while expanding clean vehicle infrastructure. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs (OEP) has been selected to receive $890,000 in funding under this program. The grant will support TDEC’s “Tennessee Truck Electrification Project,” replacing three diesel vehicles...with zero-emission battery-electric models" and the installation of "three charging stations and certifying electricians through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP)."
Read more by WGNS News - Dec. 12, 2024.
An electric vehicle is pictured at the EV Ride & Drive event at Pellissippi State, Sept. 23, 2023.
All My Friends Are Getting EVs
By Kent Minault, Chapter Transportation Committee Chair
I’ve gotten a lot of calls recently either asking for advice about how to get an electric car or bragging about having just gotten one. Is this surge widespread? We’ll have to wait until the new year to find out.
But folks have lots of reasons to grab up EVs right now. One is the steep drop in prices earlier this year. Electrics are fast approaching price-parity with fossil cars, and in the used car market, they’re actually cheaper on average.
Another reason is the stunning variety of available models. Ford, Chevy and Tesla, for sure, but Acura, Cadillac and Honda are also offering interesting and popular EVs. In an Elon Musk pushback, friends are looking at non-Tesla EVs, particularly from South Korean manufacturers Kia and Hyundai. Honda had no EV in the market last year, but now they’ve come out with the all-electric Prologue, and people are snapping it up. They’ve sold over 25,000 of them in the US so far, quite impressive for a new entry.
If you like buying local, you have options. The Nissan Leaf is manufactured in Smyrna, TN, and the Cadillac Lyriq is produced in Chattanooga, as is the Acura ZDX. The Ford F-150 pickup truck is not yet roiling out at the Blue Oval plant in West Tennessee, but they plan to start producing in 2027. And in October, the Hyundai plant in Georgia was up and running with the first US- made Ioniq 5’s coming off the line. And why Georgia? Because now they’ll qualify for the partial federal tax credit of $3750, and when the SK battery factory opens in nearby Bartow County, it will get the full $7500. It will also come with the NACS charger plug giving it access to Tesla Superchargers.
Finally, of course, there’s pressure from Trump’s threats to withdraw those generous rebates. So if you’re thinking along these same lines, here are a few resources to help you along:
The DOE webpage lists qualifications for claiming the credits and the eligible models of cars. The rebates will be available until there’s legislation to repeal them.
Finally, check this Edmunds article about how to get a rebate even if you don’t have enough tax liability.
Your Chapter Transportation Committee is ready to help! Feel free to contact Kent Minault at (818) 497-3117.
Kent Minault and Dana Moran are pictured at the Harvey Broome Group (HBG) table at the EV Ride & Drive event at Pellissippi State, Sept. 23, 2023.
Environmental Updates
Dean's Woods Clean-up: Act Three was a success! On November 23, eighteen fearless "weed warriors" came out to advance our offenses against the exotic invaders that are trying to take over Dean's Woods in Knoxville...Working up the steep hillside above Spring Creek, we cleared a large area adjacent to the area we cleared in March, then hauled the vegetation across the creek to an area adjacent to Woodson Drive. The UT Composting Facility will pick it up, grind it, and compost it...Stay tuned for "Act Four" to come in late February or early March to further clear the way for the extravaganza of spring wildflowers. Even if you cannot help with the weed removals, make sure to go and see the show next spring. You will not be disappointed! —
Submitted by Jerry Thornton
TDEC orders CSX to ‘immediately cease and desist’ removing rock from Nolichucky. "The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has ordered CSX to stop excavating rock from the Nolichucky River for its repairs after Hurricane Helene....CSX’s work in the area and its use of the river prompted vocal concern by elected officials in Unicoi County and whitewater rafting activists, who worried that the river could be significantly damaged or altered by the work." Read more
by Murry Lee - WJHL - Dec. 4, 2024.
The Biden Administration releases sobering new report about the impacts of LNG (liquefied natural gas) exports. "The long-awaited study paints a grim picture of effects on climate, community, and renewable energy...The study—a watershed moment for environmental advocates who have long demanded it—offers a sobering assessment of the effect future exports will have on everything from climate change and frontline communities to renewable sources of energy around the world." Read more by Delaney Nolan - Sierra Club - Dec. 24, 2024.
Supreme Court allows Biden plan to address toxic coal ash. "The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a request from an electric utility in Kentucky to block an Environmental Protection Agency effort to address the health risks presented by coal ash, a toxic substance created by burning coal to produce electricity." The court’s order was provisional. Read more by Adam Liptak - The New York Times - Dec. 11, 2024.
Each year, mourners and justice-seekers remember the workers who have been sickened or died as a result of being denied protective equipment while cleaning up the Kingston coal ash spill. In 2021, a vigil was held outside the TVA building in downtown Knoxville, and attendees wore masks that read "Remembering Kingston." Pictured above, investigative journalist Jamie Satterfield addressed the crowd. Photo: Todd Waterman.
Health & Justice
For 16th Anniversary of Kingston Coal Ash Spill, communities honor cleanup workers.
“The anniversary of the devastating coal ash spill in Kingston is a painful reminder of the dangers that coal pollution poses to our communities, our environment, and the health of our loved ones. It is also an opportunity to honor the incredible resilience and determination of the cleanup workers who bravely stepped up to the frontlines of the recovery efforts to ensure the wellbeing of the rest of our community,” said Bonnie Swinford, Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign Organizing Strategist. "Families and allies of cleanup workers, including the Sierra Club and Appalachian Voices, set up billboards commemorating the heroic cleanup workers whose health has been impacted by the exposure to coal ash."
Read more by Sierra Club - Dec. 17, 2024.
The public distrusts scientists’ morals, not their science. "Reaction to a recent Pew survey on the public’s trust in science shows that the scientific community is not ready to address the real problem...Our overlapping Trump and COVID eras have seen a fairly sharp downturn in public trust in scientists. Around one in 10 Americans report less support for science now than they did before COVID. That was a November survey finding by the Pew Research Center."
Read more by John H. Evans, edited by Daniel Vergano - Scientific American - Dec. 18, 2024.
Farm to School Institutes across the state. Farm to School Institutes are in-person workshops to bring community partners together to support Farm to School efforts in Tennessee. These are the dates, locations, and links for each region:
For the16th anniversary of the Kingston coal ash spill, friends, families, and community organizations put up three billboards in remembrance. Betty Johnson, widow of Kingston Coal Ash cleanup worker Tommy Johnson, explained that the billboards are shown "as a symbol of life and death, a symbol for remembering the workers and their families. A symbol of how toxic coal ashes harm the body of the people. I pray for every family this holiday season.” Photo credit: Todd Waterman.
Heartfelt Thanks to Defenders Donors!
By Susan Johnston
We are so grateful for the donations that have been sent in for the Tennessee Sierra Club Defenders Fund. And there's still time to help cover the costs of our lobbyist! Scott Banbury is the only full time lobbyist for environmental issues at the state level, and we all know how much he is needed.
We are still short of our goal, so if you want to help out, you will be one of our Defender heroes. To contribute, donate securely online here, or mail your check with "Defenders" in the memo line payable to:
TN Chapter Sierra Club
P.O. Box 113
Powell, TN 37849, Attn: Defenders.
Know that while these donations are essential, they are not tax deductible because they are political in nature.Tennessee thanks you!
January Events
Statewide environmental events listed chronologically.
Do you have an event you'd like publicized?
Send it to Enews.sierratn@gmail.com.
January 5th is National Bird Day. National Bird Day is sponsored by the Avian Welfare Coalition. Learn more about bird welfare and National Bird Day here, or join the Chattanooga National Park City's event here.
Sat. Jan. 11th at 8:30 AM - 12:30 pm EST - Hiwassee Kayak Tour: Viewing Sandhill Cranes. Hosted by Outdoor Chattanooga, this guided kayak tour will feature migrating sandhill cranes and white pelicans. Registration is $35 and participants will meet at the Cherokee Removal Memorial Center. Registration closes on Jan. 9th. Register and view details here. The 34th annual Sandhill Crane Festival
will be held Jan. 18-19th in Birchwood, Tenn.
Sierra Club Tennessee Chapter Winter Retreat - January 17-19th at Cedars of Lebanon State Park.RSVP and details here. Early bird pricing by Jan. 9th!
Sat. Jan. 25, at 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM - Hike the Hidden Passage in Pickett State Park. Join the Harvey Broome Group to hike the Hidden Passage trail, a beautiful loop in the heart of the Cumberland Plateau featuring two small but pretty waterfalls, views of the gorges that will be accentuated by the lack of foliage during the winter, and long stretches of walking aside dramatic sandstone cliffs hopefully adorned with amazing ice formations. This is a nine mile, loop trail with roughly 2,000 feet of ascent and descent rated moderate to difficult. To sign up, call Vince Cianciolo at 865-254-0876. You must complete a medical form and liability waiver prior to attending.
SAVE THE DATE: February 25th is our annual Conservation Education Day. Join us at the State Capitol to advocate for wetlands protection and support our Waste to Jobs Recycling Bill!
SAVE THE DATE: Tennessee Tree Day is March 15, 2025. Reserve your tree by March 2nd. Learn more here.
Species Spotlight
This month's featured species is: Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis)
Sandhill cranes have one of the lowest reproductive rates of North American birds. They can live over 20 years, and they mate for life. Photo Cred: Stan Kirschner from Pixabay.
The sandhill crane is a protected migratory bird that can be spotted in January at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County.
Sandhill cranes stand four feet tall and have a six-to-seven foot wingspan, making them one of the largest birds found in Tennessee. Sandhill cranes have a loud, distinctive call that is rattly and resonant and has been described as dinosaur-like.
The sandhill crane population worldwide is over one million. The Eastern population of sandhill cranes is considered the second-largest, and is the population which winters in Tennessee.
Cranes are omnivores, dining on berries, seeds, grains, worms, insects, and small mammals they find on the ground or by probing the soil or mud.
Fossil records indicate that sandhill cranes have been around nearly unchanged for 2.5 million years.
Going Digital!
Did you know the Tennes-Sierran is available online? The digital version is in color and has clickable links! Do you wish to opt out of the paper copy and go digital instead? View current and past issues or request paper-less delivery here!
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. Submit your suggestion here!
Questions or comments for Sierra Club in Tennessee? We want to hear from you! Chapter E-news Editor: Allie Stafford
Photo Editor: Todd Waterman
The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sierra Club.
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.
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