Updated COVID-19 guidance: The Delta variant is a stark reminder that the pandemic is still very much an ongoing reality, and that conditions can change rapidly. Keep up to date with the most recent Sierra Club guidance by checking this document monitoring indoor & outdoor events and activities. Sierra Club is reinstating its mask mandate for all indoor activities regardless of vaccination status. Masking at outdoor events is strongly encouraged, and is required for unvaccinated individuals. Sierra Club strongly recommends all eligible staff & volunteers get vaccinated as quickly as possible as the best defense against COVID-19.
Tennessee News
Defeating Environmental Racism, One Pipeline at a Time. "Something wonderful happened in Memphis last month: Community organizers in the city managed to stop a crude-oil pipeline from running beneath the historic neighborhood of Boxtown, as well as several other predominately Black communities along its projected 45-mile route." Read more by Margaret Renkl - New York Times - Aug. 16, 2021.
Tennessee's 10 Biggest Climate Polluters. "In Tennessee, the 10 facilities that contribute the most greenhouse gas emissions all burn fossil fuels, according to the most recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Facility Level Information on Greenhouse Gases Total ( FLIGHT). Seven of these climate polluters are TVA’s coal and natural gas plants." Read more by Caroline Eggers - WPLN - Aug. 16, 2021.
How growth in advanced energy industries led to more jobs and higher wages for Tennesseans. "The advanced energy sector added jobs, paid higher wages and grew the state's economy from 2016 to 2019, according to the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council's (TAEBC) economic impact report released Thursday." 'The advanced energy sector is truly a job creation engine for Tennessee, and this industry is growing faster than the overall Tennessee economy,' said Steve Seifried, account solutions executive for Ameresco and TAEBC board member." Read more by Brenna McDermott - Knoxville News Sentinel - Aug. 5, 2021.
Trade groups back TDEC’s rollback of construction regulations. "The proposed change by the state’s environmental regulators would rollback longstanding regulation for construction site runoff — rainwater that sweeps soil or other particles off site and into nearby waterways, often creating deposits of silt that impact water quality and aquatic life." Read more by Anita Wadhwani - Tennessee Lookout - Aug. 20, 2021.
Support the legacy of Mack Prichard! Many environmentalists in Tennessee and beyond remember Mack Prichard's tireless work advocating for the preservation of Tennessee's landscapes and stories. He worked for the TN State Parks for over 50 years. To honor his memory and inspire the next generation of conservationists, Tennessee State Park Conservancy has set up a donation fund to create a mobile exhibit that will display the objects and photographs Mack used in his outreach, as well as incorporate text elements composed by people who knew him best. The exhibition will travel among Tennessee's parks to ensure that as many people see the exhibit as possible. The fundraising goal is $15,000. Donations accepted here.
Mack Prichard spent decades advocating to protect Tennessee's scenery and stories. If you've marveled at the deep rocky canyons, soaring cliffs, and big timber forests at South Cumberland State Park, you've done so thanks to the work of Mack Prichard. You can donate to support the Mack Prichard Legacy Exhibit fund here.
Environmental Updates
Coal, code words and a kickback scheme: How one of Nashville's most prominent businesses is seeking to reclaim millions. "Millions of dollars are on the line after prominent Nashville company says financial paperwork left behind after they fired a former executive started them on the trail of fraud. Whenever one former Tennessee coal executive sent a text about a “sweatshirt,” a deposit would appear in his account, often to the tune of $25,000, details in court records allege. Over more than a decade, those sweatshirt fees added up to more than $6 million. A lawsuit quietly playing out in Williamson County claims the code word and payments were part of a kickback scheme involving a former executive at one of the nation’s biggest coal transporting companies — owned by one of Nashville’s most prominent business families."Read more by Mariah Timms - Tennessean - Aug. 18, 2021.
Hickman Creek Still Off Limits to Public. "Four days after several dead fish were found floating in Hickman Creek at Alexandria (Smith County, TN), environmental officials are still asking the public to avoid the small stream until the investigation is complete," and use an alternate source for watering cattle. "The affected area of Hickman Creek is from Edgewood Street in Alexandria approximately 1 ½ mile downstream to the Hwy 53 bridge.” Read more by Dwayne Page - WJLE - Aug. 13, 2021.
Environmental groups suggest former Senate candidate for Biden administration. "A coalition of over 450 groups is urging Pres. Biden to appoint a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member who prioritizes environmental justice. They cited three potential picks for FERC, including former Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw. Read more by Stephen Elliot - Nashville Post - Aug. 6, 2021.
Clarksville settles lawsuit with environmental claiming city illegally dumped pollutants into Cumberland. "The city of Clarksville has approved a legal consent decree that is intended as a "full and complete settlement" of a federal lawsuit filed by Tennessee Riverkeepers Inc., an environmental watchdog group. The Clarksville City Council on Thursday night unanimously supported the consent decree settlement as part of its monthly regular session meeting agenda — while stating it hasn't violated any law, rule or regulation." Read more by Jimmy Settle - Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle - July 6, 2021.
Millions of electric car batteries will retire in the next decade. What happens to them? The quest is on to prevent batteries – rich in raw materials such as cobalt, lithium and nickel – ending up as a mountain of waste. "As the automotive industry starts to transform, experts say now is the time to plan for what happens to batteries at the end of their lives, to reduce reliance on mining and keep materials in circulation." Read more by XiaoZhi Lim - The Guardian - Aug. 20, 2021.
An Ingram Barge Company motor vessel called John M. Donnelly is photographed. "Ingram Barge now alleges that for nearly 15 years, Johnson defrauded the company out of millions by manipulating the sale of coal to third-party companies for his own financial benefit" (Mariah Timms, The Tennessean). Photo: Ingrambarge - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Health & Justice
Citizens speak: What's next for TVA's Bull Run Fossil Plant site? "As TVA plans to close Bull Run Fossil Plant in the Claxton Community, area residents are looking at what's next. Residents of Claxton, Oak Ridge and Knoxville recently gathered at the Melton Lake Park pavilion in Oak Ridge. They talked about what they want to see the Bull Run site become when the plant is closed... Still, fears about the coal ash currently stored on the site and how it would affect the site's future, also dominated the discussion." Read more by Benjamin Pounds - Oakridger - Aug. 12, 2021.
Anderson County leaders keep playground open despite study showing radioactive coal ash. "The Kid's Palace playground in Anderson County will remain open, and without any warning to parents, despite recent findings the facility's soil is contaminated with low levels of the Tennessee Valley Authority's radioactive coal ash waste." Read more by Jamie Satterfield - Knoxville News Sentinel - Aug. 10, 2021.
Nashville throws out more trash than most of USA; here's how we can do better | Opinion. "In 2020, all of us in Davidson County – individuals and business alike – generated 1.2 million tons of garbage or about 9.4 pounds per person per day. The national average? As of 2018, it was 4.9 pounds. That is not a typo — we generate nearly twice as much waste as the average American. Much of that waste, 83%, ends up in a landfill." Nashville's long term Zero Waste Plan offers a blueprint for how we can be more responsible with our wastes, and more respectful of our neighbors. Read more by John Sherman, Guest Columnist - Tennessean - July 29, 2021.
Racial gulf created by economic recovery efforts will echo for generations. "Compared to white businesses, Black businesses that applied were five times more likely to receive no funding from the federal Paycheck Protection Program." Read more by Kiyadh Burt and Diane Standaert - MLK50.org - Aug. 11, 2021.
Concerned residents met at Melton Lake pavilion on Aug. 5th to discuss their visions of a future free of coal ash. Photo credit: Todd Waterman.
TVA Watch
In win for environmental activists, federal judge declines to dismiss suit over TVA contracts. "For now, at least, U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker sees enough merit in the environmental groups' claims that he is letting the lawsuit proceed... Parker's ruling means the case will proceed and could potentially impact Memphis' future power supply decision. Memphis, Light, Gas and Water has asked the private sector for bids on its power supply and the bidding open in recent weeks." Read more by Samuel Hardiman - Memphis Commercial Appeal - Aug. 13, 2021.
TVA to convert at least half of its fleet to electric vehicles by 2030. "The Tennessee Valley Authority, which helped bring electricity to southern Appalachia nearly a century ago, is now trying to help electrify the region's transportation system. TVA outlined plans Wednesday to convert its entire fleet of passenger cars and at least half of its own pickup and light cargo trucks to electric vehicles by 2030." Read more by Dave Flessner - Times Free Press - Aug. 18, 2021.
Knox News probe: Tennessee Valley Authority used toxic waste in Claxton youth sports field. "For two decades, children in Anderson County have been playing — unaware — on a sports field constructed with the Tennessee Valley Authority’s radioactive coal ash waste, Knox News confirmed this week. The nation’s largest public power provider is now acknowledging it used a mix of dirt and “bottom ash” — the most toxic and radioactive form of TVA’s coal ash waste — to build a ball field that's part of a larger park that contains a playground, as well. The ball field has played host to youth sports games since it opened in 2001." Read more by Jamie Satterfield - Knoxville News Sentinel - Aug. 8, 2021.
Natural gas is an unacceptable replacement after TVA retires coal plants | Opinion. "To fight climate change, TVA should invest more in renewable energy like wind, solar and other non-fossil fuel sources." Read more by Frances Lamberts, Guest columnist - Tennessean - Aug. 14, 2021.
The Bull Run Community Fights for its Future
By Todd Waterman, Harvey Broome Group
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 were 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 worker 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 test the playground for contamination. Hoe Lochamy, a retired expert in radiation testing, 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, and TVA hides growing mountains of readily airborne dry fly ash behind a high bank. A stone’s throw away, children still play.
From atop a hill, an otherwise concealed mountain of dry fly ash, part of Bull Run's sprawling Dry Fly Ash Stack, can be seen looming behind an anonymous father and kids lingering late at the Claxton playground in mid-August 2021. Photo: Todd Waterman.
This Year, Labor Day Is a Stark Reminder of Continued Fight for Workers' Rights
By Allie Stafford, TN Chapter E-news Editor
As we experience the ongoing effects of the pandemic this Labor Day, worker shortages, stagnant wages, and inadequate healthcare are stark reminders that we have a ways to go in creating a stable workplace.
"Essential workers" is a phrase invented during the pandemic to refer to those jobs that are necessary to keep our society functioning: workers who provide food access, healthcare, sanitation, and utilities. Yet many of the laborers providing these services are not paid living wages , can't afford healthcare, and are in an increasingly precarious position as housing costs rise. While housing and cost of living has increased, the minimum wage has not been raised since 2009, making this the longest period in U.S. history without a wage increase. And when it comes to parental leave, the U.S. is notoriously inadequate compared to other countries.
The origins of Labor Day lie in the international fight for a safe and fair workplace. There are 66 countries in the world that recognize May 1st as International Workers Day. When President Grover Cleveland designated Labor Day as an official national holiday in 1894, he named it in September instead of May 1st, intentionally distancing the spirit of the holiday from the socialist-anarchist-communist activist roots. So while May Day originated in the U.S. as a result of the Haymarket Affair, ironically it is largely unrecognized here. Instead, we have Labor Day on the first Monday in September.
Compared to the bleak and dangerous industrial factories of the late 1800's, the labor movement has forced great progress in the workplace: the 8-hour work day with at least one day off a week, the outlawing of child labor, and safety regulations for workplaces. But the struggle continues. The 2008 coal ash spill in Kingston was a catastrophic failure to protect the safety of workers. As a result of being denied proper protective gear, many workers developed debilitating sicknesses, and some have lost their lives. Survivors are still fighting for justice.
In light of the pandemic, workers are increasingly opting out of returning to low paying jobs with little or no benefits. Recently, the city of Chattanooga, Tenn. was forced to pause its curbside recycling program due to a lack of drivers. In its next budget, the city "expects to increase pay for drivers and other essential workers.. in order to combat the ongoing worker shortage and resulting service impacts," according to Chief of Staff Brent Goldberg.
While wage increases are a huge step in the right direction, we need to do even more to cultivate the health and wellness of ourselves and the Earth. We are all connected. This Labor Day, remember that all "essential workers" deserve access to those same essential services they are providing: affordable food, education, healthcare, and housing in an environment with clean air and water.
Events
Listed in order of occurrence:
2nd Annual Land Between the Lakes Labor Day Weekend Exploration. Learn about and explore the LBL on land and water, its wildlife, history, and special places! This is an opportunity to learn about the awesome place that is the Land Between the Lakes. Camping is available Friday - Sunday morning. Events include Sat. Sept. 4th wildlife and plant walk with TN State Naturalist Randy Hedgepath, and Sun. Sept. 5th kayaking on Long Creek. See details at TennesseeHeartwood.org.
Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 - Oct. 15th. Originally begun as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under Pres. Lyndon Johnson, the observation was expanded by Pres. Ronald Reagan in 1988 to a full month. Mid-September contains the anniversary of independence for seven Latin American countries. The month is a chance to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Learn more here.
12th Annual Appalachian Public Interest Environmental Law (APIEL) Conference. Hosted by the UT College of Law, the conference will be held via Zoom on Sat. September 25th. Add your name to the RSVP list here, so you can get details about your virtual attendance. Topics include the Byhalia pipeline and environmental justice, ethics and environmental regulation, promoting social change through litigation, and more!
Solar & Storage 101 Seminar (recording). Tennessee Environmental Council along with Nashville-based LightWave Solar recently hosted a seminar about how solar energy and battery storage provide grid independence, resiliency, and cleaner power for an increasing number of homes and electric vehicles across Tennessee. Watch on YouTube (1 hr watch).
Fall Tennessee Chapter Retreat. Sierra Club Cherokee Group is hosting the next Chapter Retreat on October 29-31 at Booker T. Washington State Park in Chattanooga. 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. Additionally, there will be hikes, Outdoor Leader Training, a silent auction, and delicious food. Register by Oct. 22nd for the early bird discount!
Special Features
Dear Eartha: Advice from an Eco-Guru
Dear Eartha, Some of my goddess/therapist/feminist friends say that, even now as the world burns and Delta variant flourishes, we’re ushering in the dawning of a new, gentler Age. But my rabbi says, “Don’t be Polly Anna!” I don’t even know who Polly Anna is, but I take it he thinks nothing post-pandemic will be any different. I feel a shift, or am I just... —Another Polly Anna
Dear Polly,
If you are, then you aren’t alone. Sometimes when people can’t see positive change, it’s easier to get others to question their vision of the future. And yes, it’s true that droughts, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes occur with more frequency and intensity, arriving earlier and leaving later than they used to. Siberia, Russia, for example, is reporting 250 fires burning across 8.6 million acres. And it’s not just the loss of human and animal lives, homes, and timber– it’s the air quality from the dense smoke and its assault on lungs, especially those of children and the elderly (Claudia Dehn - Deutsche Welle - 8/9/21]).
But while this devastation overcomes our planet, and a global viral pandemic mutates, decreasing the population worldwide, human beings make changes, align priorities, and stand up for their rights and the rights of non-human species as well. I’m not sure what constitutes a “new, gentler Age” according to your homies, but I think we’re all safe in proclaiming a shift is happening. Here are a few examples:
The Great Resignation. Millions of workers (4 million in April 2021, according to NPR) are downsizing by voluntarily reducing work hours to emphasize other energy-enhancing (not draining) work ("Why Are So Many Knowledge Workers Quitting? " by Cal Newport - The New Yorker - 8/16/21). Post-pandemic, “the way we think about time and space has changed,” says professor and author, Tsedal Neeley, from Harvard Business School. From now on, work will accommodate life. For Americans, this is a huge shift, and will affect everything – less time in a car, less time away from kids and family life, with more time noticing the way schools, playgrounds, and grocery stores operate will change Americans’ attention to policy implementation.
Education’s Inequities: Mask Off. After a year of sub-par education for kids with strained access to technology and internet, the necessary changes seem crystal clear. Governments know the value of teachers, schools, and learning and must make changes to address inequities now [BBC].
75 actions in 36 states demanding bold climate action, jobs & justice: Today’s headline from Morissa Zuckerman, Senior Online Organizer for the Sierra Club refers to #SealtheDeal to demand Congress pass the 3.5 trillion reconciliation budget to pay for climate, care workers, jobs, and justice, those elements left out of the infrastructure bill drafted with Republican input.
So, Polly, I agree that a shift is happening. As someone once said, it isn’t that we have to do things differently – including welcoming in a new Age – we GET to! As the Brits say, hang on to your arse!
Warmly, in more ways than one, 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: Japanese anemone / 'September Charm' (anemone x hybrida)
'September Charm' Japanese anemone is a semi-evergreen, meaning it sheds its leaves but only briefly. Photo credit: Missouri Botanical Garden.
The gracefully nicknamed 'September Charm' is a Japanese hybrid anemone. It is an herbaceous perennial, sometimes called windflower, that grows 3-4' tall.
This hybrid category of cultivars blooms from late summer into fall (August - October). The 'September Charm' is known for its upright single blooms, iridescent pink in color, with bright yellow stamens in the middle.
Since its foliage tends to burn in too much sun, 'September Charm' appreciates partial shade and plenty of room to spread out. It prefers well-drained soil.
The genus name is thought to originate from the Greek word anemos meaning wind.
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