Current Situation

Due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic situation, we are sensitive to our constituents during this challenging crisis…

Update On In-Person Gatherings
In-person events are back! This fall, HBG hopes to gather for our first in-person program of the year (see HBG program section below). All in-person outings and events will be modified for COVID safety. According to updated Sierra Club guidance, masks are required for both indoor gatherings and recommended for outdoor events, regardless of vaccination status. We look forward to seeing you all again soon, and thank you for bearing with us as we do our best to bring you wonderful events and keep each other safe at the same time!
Read more about reopening guidelines here

Virtual meetings and events:
Online (via Zoom) Tennessee Chapter ExCom Business meetings
Online (via Zoom) Harvey Broome Group ExCom meetings
Online (via Zoom) Harvey Broome Group Program Meetings - note online program meeting info below
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September 2021 Virtual Program
What: Young Voices for the Planet by Caleb Carelton, Director YVFP
When: Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 7:00-8:30 PM EDT
Where: Virtual via Zoom. Please RSVP through this Campfire Event Link. You will receive information on how to connect to this program and be notified via email if there are any changes.

Photo Credit: Young Voices for the Planet

The mission of Young Voices for the Planet (YVFP) is to limit and mitigate the magnitude and impacts of climate change by empowering youth, through uplifting and inspiring success stories, to take an essential role in informing themselves, their peers and their communities—becoming leaders and changing laws, changing minds and changing the world.

Their award-winning documentary films feature diverse young role models on the front lines of climate change, reducing the carbon footprint of their homes, schools and communities—while saving money and improving health. California kids ban plastic bags; Florida students save their school $53,000 in energy costs; an 11-year-old German boy plants millions of trees; and a 10-year-old Connecticut girl’s dynamic speeches help shut down a coal-fired power plant. These films along with our Civic Engagement and Democracy Curriculum and professional development for educators, give young people hope and the tools to take action and make a difference—even though they’re still too young to vote!

Please RSVP at the following link and you will receive information on how to link to this virtual presentation:

Note: Consult the HBG website Calendar for updates to our calendar. Questions regarding HBG events should be addressed to HBG Chair Jerry Thornton (gatwilcat@aol.com).

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HBG and Local Issues & Business

Mt. LeConte sunset. Image credit Julie Elfin.

The Harvey Broome Group is now on Instagram! (https://www.instagram.com/sierraclubhbg/) We’re excited to engage on this new platform, and to do that, we need your photos. If you have photos from past HBG outings, programs, or other events, please email them to Julie Elfin at juliebethanyelfin@gmail.com along with the date they were taken and a brief description of the event. We can include up to 10 photos per post.

The Bull Run Community Fights for its Future
By Todd Waterman

Neighbors of Bull Run, including HBG’s Mac Post, share their visions of a future without coal ash at the August 5th community meeting. Image credit Todd Waterman.

On August 5, our Covid-weary Claxton community, emboldened by our defeat of a proposed TVA coal fly ash landfill amid our subdivisions, met on beautiful Melton Lake Reservoir to imagine the thriving future we want when Bull Run coal plant just downstream closes in 2023. We’d be inspired by Jay Clark’s songs and successful coal transitions elsewhere, but sobered by the millions of tons of toxic coal ash still standing in our way - we’d just spoken out at a County subcommittee meeting at which TDEC had revealed heavy metal contamination now even in sediments in our drinking water reservoir.

Days later Jamie Satterfield reported in the Knoxville News Sentinel that a long-awaited Avner Vengosh study had found fly ash traces in soil at the beloved Claxton Community Park's playground, and that coal ash had been used to level its ballpark. So we turned out for another subcommittee meeting to debate Bull Run District Commissioner Tracy Wandell’s resolution asking TVA to move the park’s playground, ballpark, and Community Center to the site TVA had seized for its blocked coal ash landfill, and add a new fire station. Kingston cleanup workers’ wife Julie Bledsoe and Kingston widow Janie Clark, afflicted coal ash worker Jason Williams, and three locals passionately pleaded for closing the park, joined by Satterfield herself (“I can’t sleep at night, knowing…”). But County Mayor Terry Frank and Wandell argued Vengosh’s tests hadn’t found worrisome contamination. Wandell also said not one of his Bull Run District constituents had asked him to close the playground, so it should stay open. The Bledsoes, the Clarks, and Williams angrily walked out, pursued by two TV stations. The subcommittee unanimously voted to keep the popular park open.

On August 16th the Anderson County Commission passed Wandell’s resolution asking TVA to move the park’s facilities, and Mayor Frank’s resolution asking TDEC to itself test the playground for contamination. A retired expert in testing for radiation and its health risks, Joe Lochamy, attested he’d voluntarily tested for excess radiation at the playground and found none. But something is killing the Kingston workers whose plight awakened the nation to the threat of fly ash, and they will not be silenced.

In Claxton, the controversy continues. TVA now hides, behind a high bank, growing mountains of readily windblown dry fly ash, while a stone’s throw away, children still play.

KUB posts intentions with respect to disconnections for non-payment.

They also include their suggestions for “assistance” for those in need, and how those of us in better circumstances can assist those in need via “Project Help."
 
For utility companies in other counties and municipalities in Tennessee, e.g., Alcoa, LaFollete, Lenoir City, Maryville, Clinton, and more, links to pandemic response policies can be found here.

Federally Funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This federal program provides federally funded assistance in managing costs associated with: home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs.

Read about other local events in Tennessee in our Chapter e-newsletters.

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Events and Actions

HBG Outing: Castle Rock and Cumberland Trail Day Hike in Frozen Head State Park
September 25
8 AM - 5 PM ET
 
This is an approximately nine-mile strenuous hike on Bird Mountain in Frozen Head State Park. We will visit Castle Rock and Mushroom Rock along the Cumberland Trail segment along the top of Bird Mountain. We may see some fall wildflowers. This hike is rated strenuous due to a 1600 foot elevation gain and descent. Contact Jerry (gatwildcat@aol.com, 865-719-9742) or Alice (scithorn@aol.com, 865-719-9741) Thornton to sign up.
 
NOTE: You must contact the outing leader directly and hear back from the outing leader before you are registered for this outing. The outing leader will give you final start and end times.
 
**Sierra Club updated COVID-19 Guidance**

12th annual Appalachian Public Interest Environmental Law Conference
September 25
Virtual via Zoom
Hosted by the UT College of Law

Image credit APIEL.
 
“The 12th annual APIEL Conference will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Registration for this event will begin soon, and you will be contacted when it is open if you have expressed interest on the sign-up sheet.  
 
“COVID-19 Updates: Due to the current developing situation with the Delta Variant, as well as current campus restrictions, we have elected to hold this year’s APIEL conference once again over Zoom. However, we still plan on hosting an in-person outdoor social event on the evening of Saturday September 25th for all who wish to attend. We will update you if any further developments arise.   
 
“Topics & Presentations will include:  
- Byhalia Pipeline, Environmental Justice, and the Law
- Ethics and Environmental Regulation
- Mass Toxic Tort Litigation
- Promoting Social Change through Litigation
- Environmental Lobbying and Legislation  
- And more!”
 
RSVP here: https://bit.ly/APIEL-2021-RSVP
 
HBG Outing: Bald River Gorge Wilderness Backpack
October 2nd - 3rd

Bald River Falls. Image credit John Getchel Photography CC BY-NC 2.0.
 
Just up the Tellico River from Tellico Plains, TN, is the wonderful 90-foot Bald River Falls, one of the most impressive in the Southeast. And upstream of the falls is an equally wonderful wild area that was designated by the US Congress as the 3,721-acre Bald River Gorge Wilderness in 1984 (and upstream of that is the more recently protected 9,038-acre Upper Bald River Wilderness). The most outstanding feature of the Gorge is the Bald River as it cascades and flows through the steep sided valley. A 5.6-mile trail follows the river through the gorge, and we will hike a portion of that trail to one of many campsites along the river (with an opportunity to day hike up the rest of the gorge). Backpacking hiking mileage from the trailhead to camp is around 2.5 miles and the backpack is rated Easy. Pre-register with Will Skelton: H 523-2272; C 742-2327; whshome@bellsouth.net
 
NOTE: You must contact the outing leader directly and hear back from the outing leader before you are registered for this outing. The outing leader will give you final start and end times.
 
**Sierra Club updated COVID-19 Guidance**
 
Fall Tennessee Chapter Retreat 2021
October 29 - 31
Booker T. Washington State Park
5801 Champion Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37416
 
Join us October 29-31 for the Fall Chapter Retreat at Booker T. Washington State Park in Chattanooga! It’s great to be able to get together again for a weekend surrounded by the beauty of nature and fellow Sierrans. This fun weekend includes multiple hike options led by Tennessee State Naturalist Randy Hedgepath. Past Sierra Club president and current board member Aaron Mair is the featured speaker for both Friday and Saturday nights. Aaron, a former epidemiological-spatial analyst with the New York State Department of Health, has more than three decades of experience with environmental activism. On top of these awesome events, Outdoor Leader Training will be offered, to get interested parties certified to lead official
Sierra Club outings. The training will include two sessions, along with an additional session on Basic First Aid and CPR. The First Aid and CPR course has a fee of $25. Learn more about Outdoor Leader Training.

Friday’s activities include time to get acquainted with fellow Tennessee Sierrans, along with a talk by Aaron Mair about African American units of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Saturday is a fun-filled day, featuring breakfast, Outdoor Leader Training, hikes around the beautiful Booker T Washington State Park, First Aid and CPR training, a talk from Paul Davis on “A Coming Storm: TDEC stormwater regulations and sewage issues,” and a silent auction. After a delicious dinner (with vegetarian options), Aaron will deliver his keynote talk about how the Sierra Club is working with the Biden Administration to further environmental goals and, most importantly, how our Chapter can help. The evening will wrap up with a campfire to celebrate Halloween. On Sunday, there will be breakfast and hikes offered to wrap up the weekend.
 
Register by October 22 to receive Early Bird Discount
Online OR contact State Chair Mac Post at (865) 806-0980, mpost3116@gmail.com
 
Rates: Registration for the weekend covers dorm lodging, 2 breakfasts, & Saturday
dinner (Vegetarian options). Cash or check only at check in.
Adult Registration - $50 — Late registration (after October 22) - $60
First retreat attendees - $25 — Students - $15 — Youth under 16 - Free
Saturday Only (with dinner) - $30 — Sunday Only - (with breakfast) - $10
 
COVID Notice: Sierra Club activities may enforce group size limits, PPE, social distancing requirements to comply with COVID-19 restrictions of the meeting venue, city, and county rules where the activity takes place. Since these are subject to change, please contact the activity organizer for any updates. Due to the continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2, mitigation measures are necessary among the vaccinated and unvaccinated. Indoor settings present an elevated risk of transmission. Consultation with your health care provider in best practice prevention is recommended.
 
The Chapter retreat will begin at 4 PM on Friday and end at 2 PM on Sunday. All retreat participants are required to sign the standard Sierra Club outings liability waiver at check-in. Attendees under the age of 18 not accompanied by parent or legal guardian must have a signed liability waiver and medical authorization form upon arrival. Review or print this waiver.
 
About the site: “Originally named Booker T. Washington State Park for Negroes, it was one of only two that African Americans were allowed to enter for a long time. The facilities were constructed in part by New Deal-era agencies like the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The Park has tons of interesting history and is in a beautiful natural setting. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
 
Tell Your Representative: Support Coal Communities’ Recovery and Mine Clean Up
Sierra Club Action Alert
 
“We’re calling on Congress to pass bipartisan bills: HR 1734, to continue funding the clean-up of dangerous and polluting abandoned mine lands, and HR 1733, the RECLAIM Act, to spur immediate job creation and create the conditions for longer-term, locally driven economic development efforts in coal communities.”
Sign on here.

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State and National Newsflash

*** Note to readers about accessing these articles

Firth: TVA plans to fuel the fire of climate change. Opinion by Dan Firth, Chattanooga Times Free Press, August 20.
 
"TVA must change course and choose renewables and storage over natural gas with carbon capture if it is to be part of the solution. Many utilities around the world have successfully implemented greater percentages of renewable energy than TVA. TVA can do it as well. The alternative is pollution, excessive rates and adverse impacts on communities caused both directly and by the subsequent global warming.
 
Dan Firth of Kingsport, Tennessee, is a chemist who works on water quality, energy, solid waste and mining issues across Tennessee and the greater central Appalachia region with the Sierra Club.”

At ‘Take Back TVA’ Citizens Demand Meaningful Public Interaction and Accountability: Rally Outside TVA Headquarters highlights Call for Virtual Sessions for Public Comments. Amy Rawe and Rick Herron, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) website, August 18.

HBG’s Jerry Thornton (front right) and other demonstrators at the Take Back TVA rally. Image credit Todd Waterman.
 
"Hours after the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Board of Directors met, concerned citizens and advocates with the Tennessee Valley Energy Democracy Movement spoke, sang, and marched in Market Square outside TVA’s Knoxville headquarters to make their voices heard on key issues and to demand that TVA hold virtual public listening sessions.
 
The calls to action come as residents of Anderson County and Shelby County are speaking out against TVA’s plans for storing coal ash in their communities and as TVA considers options for replacing its five remaining coal-fired plants, which the utility currently plans to retire by 2035."
 
Methane emissions from oil and gas may be even worse than previously thought. Irina Ivantova, CBS News, August 18.
 
"Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron were the worst performers, according to an analysis of the 15 largest oil- and-gas producers. They were followed by ConocoPhillips, Marathon Oil and Exxon Mobil. No company received better than a middling grade, Geofinancial Analytics CEO Mark Kriss told CBS MoneyWatch."

What Cutting-Edge Science Can Tell Us About Extreme Weather. Katharine Hayhoe and Friederike Otto, The New York Times, August 17.
 
"Hotter, faster, stronger: That isn’t a tagline for the next blockbuster superhero movie. This is what climate change is doing to many extreme weather events…
 
The evidence and the data are already clear: The faster we cut our emissions, the better off we’ll all be.”
 
OPINION: Bipartisan support for clean energy appears to be growing. Paul Bledsoe, The Hill, August 16.
 
“There is a growing, if grudging, recognition by many Republicans that clean energy technologies, not unfettered coal emissions, are the future. And as climate change impacts batter much of the country, with high economic and human costs, such political and policy movement seems inevitable. Yet, congressional Republicans still uniformly oppose the more ambitious clean energy plans Democrats will pursue through reconciliation budget legislation to deeply decarbonize the U.S. economy and prevent catastrophic climate impacts, as dramatized by a major UN climate report last week.”
   
Citizens speak: What's next for TVA's Bull Run Fossil Plant site? Benjamin Pounds, Oakridger, August 12.

Coverage of Bull Run Neighbors’ Community Meeting in Melton Lake Park

Senate Passes $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill, Progressives Push for Bold Climate Action. Climate Nexus, EcoWatch, August 11.

“The Senate passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill on Tuesday, and a $3.5 trillion budget resolution early Wednesday morning that, combined, could represent the last major opportunity for Democrats to enact President Joe Biden's promised action on climate change.
 
The bipartisan infrastructure package contains just $550 million in new spending and primarily focuses on making American infrastructure more resilient to climate change. The non-binding budget resolution lays out priorities for Senate committees to set funding levels, which Democrats plan to enact using the budget reconciliation process to avoid lockstep GOP opposition.
 
Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Progressive Caucus have said they will not vote on the smaller bipartisan package until the Senate passes the finalized budget which, in addition to fighting climate change, will also include, among other Democratic priorities, early childhood education, tuition-free community college, and potentially a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants.”

Related: Breaking down the infrastructure bill’s impact on climate change. PBS NewsHour, August 5.
 
The current infrastructure bill includes $150 billion for clean energy and climate change protections. Tens of billions would also be utilized to fight extreme weather like drought, wildfire, flooding and erosion, with a host of smaller programs like low-emission busses, cleaner ports and even more trees. Rebecca Leber, who covers climate change for Vox, joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss.

Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis: Summary for Policymakers (39 pages). United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), August 6.

Photo credit United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

This report summarizes current climate science and details several possible climate futures based on levels of global action.
 
"It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred."

Related: ‘Code red’: UN scientists warn of worsening global warming. Seth Borenstein, Associated Press, August 10.
 
“Each of five scenarios for the future, based on how much carbon emissions are cut, passes the more stringent of two thresholds set in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. World leaders agreed then to try to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above levels in the late 19th century because problems mount quickly after that. The world has already warmed nearly 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) since then.
 
Under each scenario, the report said, the world will cross the 1.5-degree-Celsius warming mark in the 2030s, earlier than some past predictions. Warming has ramped up in recent years, data shows.”
 
Related: ‘Get scared’: World’s scientists say disastrous climate change is here. Zack Colman and Karl Mathiesen, Politico, August 8.

A new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the latest — and starkest — warning yet of disasters around the globe. 1.5 degrees Celsius is out of reach.

Read about other events in Tennessee in our Chapter e-newsletters.

*** A democracy with informed citizens requires the professionalism that we have historically expected of credible news sources. Most “local" newspapers today are asking folks who access their online news stories to purchase a subscription to their paper. This is understandable generally, and reminds us that we should do our part to pay for the resources that result in publication of local news. Those of us who use summaries of published print news, as we do, are no exception, and we ask the same of our readers. However, we also believe that a person who only wants to see an occasional article published in a newspaper should not be required to subscribe. So if you believe that you are in the latter category - only an occasional reader - you may be able to read an article without a subscription if you "browse anonymously" or clear your browser cache before activating a link to an article. This may help you avoid many "pay walls" at these news sources (some sources restrict access even with anonymous settings). Another approach is to search for alternate source on the particular news item. But we recommend that our readers who find themselves accessing an online news source on a regular basis subscribe to an online version of the paper, which is generally much cheaper than a  print version.

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Can't donate now? Sign up for Kroger Community Rewards. Kroger donates a portion of what you spend to the Harvey Broome Group as long as you designate HBG as your preferred charity.

Here's how:

1. Go to the Kroger Community Rewards web page
2. Register (or Sign In if you already have an account.)
3. Enroll in Community Rewards (or Edit if you're already enrolled.)
4. Enter HBG's Community Rewards Number 27874.

That's it. Swipe your Kroger Card when you shop and know that you're helping protect your environment.

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Who We Are