Tell the DNC Climate Matters
 

The Democratic National Convention started on Monday 8/17 and there's still a lot of work to be done to strengthen the DNC's 2020 platform. As it stands right now, the 2020 platform falls short of the changes scientists say are necessary to keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the Paris agreement. It allows the world's largest polluters to continue drilling, fracking, and mining unlimited amounts of oil, gas, and coal - resources that are very finite. 

Unless we stop dirty energy expansion and phase out existing fossil fuel production in the United States, there's no way to address the climate crisis and environmental racism. We need a platform that commits to protecting people - not fossil fuel executives.

Will you send a personal message to the DNC chair, Tom Perez, asking him to commit to stopping dirty energy expansion and phasing out all existing fossil fuel production? Use this form to send your message. Together, we can make an impact!
 

Some Good News
 

The American Great Outdoors Act passed!  It will provide monies for catching up on National Parks’ backlog of maintenance projects, including refurbishing campgrounds in the Smokies.  Better yet, it includes permanent guaranteed funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which means we don’t have to fight for it every year. We owe big thanks to Senator Lamar Alexander for getting this done after his many years of effort.


The 2017 loosening of the Department of Interior guidelines for the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) has been overturned! As before, companies cannot kill migratory birds even if by accident. For example, under the MBTA, BP received a $100 million fine for their oil spill harming birds. The Treaty applies to Canada, U.S. and Mexico.
 

Wade Addresses Energy for the Future
 

In July, Cherokee Group’s own Bill Moll and Sandy Kurtz met with EPB Executive Director David Wade. They wanted to learn directly how EPB is moving forward regarding energy efficiency, environmental justice and renewable energy. Another key goal of the meeting was to encourage the adoption of an Opt-Out program allowing ratepayer bills to be rounded up to the nearest dollar. Those extra funds can then be used for home energy makeovers to improve energy efficiency and reduce the energy burden for low-income ratepayers. EPB has already matched money from TVA to provide home energy makeovers to about 200 homes and will continue to do so, but an Opt-out program would provide funds to speed up and increase the number of these home makeovers. While Mr. Wade made no commitment, the proposal is being strongly considered. He wants to find ways to improve poorly weatherized homes beyond what is already being done

EPB is also involved in the Chattanooga City Climate Plan, where EPB works closely with Green|Spaces Empowerment Program to bring energy education to low income neighborhoods and provide free energy audits.  

Additionally, EPB has placed a moratorium on bill payments during this pandemic, but cannot forgive bills, according to Mr. Wade. He is concerned about poorer ratepayer ability to repay and is looking for ways to ease repayment.  

As for renewable energy, EPB will be putting solar panels on the Police Services Building on Amnicola Highway, along with solar additions at the Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Wade did not feel that the parameters within the TVA contract regarding use of renewable energy left plenty of room for adding renewable energy. EPB is already pursuing additional renewable energy generation locally. 

Sierra Club and other environmental organizations can help EPB with their community improvement efforts by telling people who may be eligible for a home energy makeover to call EPB and ask. We can also encourage EPB to adopt an Opt-in program on our electric bills, which takes only a few pennies from each of us to enable energy justice.  

 

Please join us for our monthly strategy meeting, held virtually via Zoom.

 

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Thank you for supporting the
Cherokee Group of the Sierra Club!