Topic: Environment

Audubon Society meeting Thursday

September 2, 2009 |

“Integrated Resource Plan: TVA’s Environmental and Energy Future.

The Clarksville Chapter of the Audubon Society will be holding their regular meeting on Thursday September 3rd at  7:30 p.m. in conference room E106 in the Sundquist Science Building at Austin Peay State University. Randall Johnson of TVA will be presenting a program titled  “Integrated Resource Plan: TVA’s Environmental and Energy Future.” Light refreshments will be served.

On June 15, 2009 TVA kicked off an 18 month long project to prepare a new Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) entitled TVA’s Environmental and Energy Future. The purpose of the IRP is to develop a flexible portfolio of supply and demand side options that TVA can use to meet the valley’s electrical demand needs for the next 20 years. The portfolios developed will be evaluated for several criteria including capital and fuel costs, reliability, possible environmental impacts including climate change, compliance with existing and anticipated future regulations, and other factors.

To learn more about the Clarksville Chapter of the Audubon Society check out the current issue of their newsletter, The Warioto Warbler.

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Army Corps of Engineers working to address mountaintop removal coal mining concerns

By Bill Larson | July 18, 2009 |

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is undertaking a process designed to limit the use of Nationwide Permit 21 to authorize surface coal mining and the discharge of the resulting dredged or fill material into waters of the United States in the Appalachian region of the following states: Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia until it expires on March 18, 2012. The Corps goal is to enhance environmental protection of aquatic resources by requiring surface coal mining projects in the affected region to obtain individual permit coverage under the Clean Water Act (CWA), which includes increased public and agency involvement in the permit review process, including an opportunity for public comment on individual projects.

Landsat satellite data collected in 1987 and 2002 show (click to zoom) the growth of the Hobet-21 mountaintop mine in the Mud River watershed of West Virginia. The mine expanded across thousands of acres and produced one of the state’s longest valley fills when rock and dirt were placed into Connelly Branch. The center portion of the mine site had been partially reclaimed with grass (light green) as of 2002. [NASA images by Jesse Allen, based on data provided by the Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF).]

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House Democrats defeat effort to poison Tennessee streams

June 7, 2009 |

Measure would have allowed increased dumping of selenium compound by coal mining companies

NASHVILLE – On Wednesday State Representative Joe Pitts (D-Clarksville), along with thirty-nine other House Democrats and two Republicans, voted down a bill that would have allowed coal mining companies to dump unacceptable levels of selenium into local streams and rivers.

“The overwhelming scientific evidence cited in committee testimony indicated the proposed levels of this dangerous mineral would be intolerable for humans or animals,” said Pitts. “We chose to maintain a safer position than to risk the public health over something that can’t be undone if we make a mistake and today we said enough is enough.”

Selenium

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New Program Encourages Tennesseans to Take Steps to Reduce Air Pollution

May 5, 2009 |

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation today announced “Clear the Air Tennessee,” a new educational program designed to encourage Tennesseans to take action against poor air quality by changing their transportation habits.  The program is funded through the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program and targets citizens in counties designated by the E.P.A. as air quality nonattainment or maintenance areas.

“Taking simple steps in our daily lives can make a dramatic impact on our air quality,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.  “We hope this educational program will lead motorists to make positive changes in daily driving habits.”

TDOT recommends these SIMPLE steps to help Clear the Air in Tennessee: «Read the rest of this article»

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The GOP Review

April 20, 2009 |

Election Laws, economic development and the budget are among wide variety of issues debated on Capitol Hill this week

(NASHVILLE, TN), April 16, 2009 – Election laws, economic development, the budget, telecommunications, and violent crime were among a wide variety of issues headlining debate on Capitol Hill this week. However, State Senators also took time on Monday to remember the victims of last week’s tornadoes in Rutherford, Sumner, and Benton Counties and commended emergency personnel for their handling of the disaster.

The worst damage was in Rutherford County where a deadly EF-4 tornado hit Murfreesboro packing winds of 166 mph to 200 mph, killing a mother and her baby. The tornado, which was a half-mile wide and ran a 28-mile path, set a record for the longest EF-4 tornado in history. Seven people were critically injured and about 818 homes were damaged, with 111 of those homes completely destroyed. The cost to businesses and residents has preliminarily been estimated at $40.2 million.

A Murfreesboro Gas station suffered significant damage (Chris Jackson)

«Read the rest of this article»

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WWF Living Planet analysis shows looming ecological credit crunch

December 3, 2008 |

In her periodic newsletter and update, Goddard College Professor Catherine Lowther circulates items of interest on environmental issues. With her permission, we pass these items to our readers.

Gland, Switzerland: The world is heading for an ecological credit crunch as human demands on the world’s natural capital reach nearly a third more than earth can sustain.

That is the stark warning contained in the latest edition of WWF’s Living Planet Report, the leading statement of the planet’s health. In addition global natural wealth and diversity continues to decline, and more and more countries are slipping into a state of permanent or seasonal water stress.

“The world is currently struggling with the consequences of over-valuing its financial assets,” said WWF International Director-General James Leape, “but a more fundamental crisis looms ahead — an ecological credit crunch caused by under-valuing the environmental assets that are the basis of all life and prosperity.” «Read the rest of this article»

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Words of Warming: Climate news briefs

November 18, 2008 |

In her periodic newsletter and update, Goddard College Professor Catherine Lowther circulates these “Words of warming”. With her permission, we pass these items to our readers.

Dreaming the future can create the future. We stand at the threshold of a singular opportunity in the human experiment: To re-imagine how to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other and future generations. It’s a revolution from the heart of nature — and the human heart. Then again, in the immortal words of Yogi Berra, “The future ain’t what it used to be.” We also stand at the brink of worldwide ecological and civilizational collapse. We face a reckoning from the treacherous breach in our relationship with nature. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 1 Comment »

Advancing climate change policy in a difficult economy

November 10, 2008 |

New presidential transition report charts first steps to advance climate change policy in difficult economy. Clean Air-Cool Planet unveils 25 early-action items to implement in first 150 days.

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The ongoing economic crisis, volatile energy prices, and the rapid increase in global CO2 levels will force critical choices on climate action by the new President in the early days of the next administration, according to a report released today by Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP), an independent organization dedicated to finding and promoting solutions to global warming.

“The next president can lead America and the world in addressing climate change if he links our effort to reduce emissions to the revitalization of our economy and the creation of a more secure energy future.” ~~ Rafe Pomerance, CA-CP’s president.

To advance a new strategy, the report recommends 25 early steps through which the incoming President can establish clear priorities for his administration, build a consensus for legislation in Congress, and inspire the public and private sector to action to reduce the threat of climate change.    «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 1 Comment »

NPT to screen “Kilowatt Ours”

By Beth Robinson | October 24, 2008 |

Depressed about Global Warming? Using amusing and inspiring stories Kilowatt Ours teaches how you can personally make this a greener world.  This 2008 updated version of Kilowatt Ours will be broadcast on Nashville Public Television, NPT Channel 8, on Friday, October 24 at 7:00 pm.

Kilowatt Ours provides simple, practical, affordable solutions to America’s energy crisis and shows how we can save electricity, save money and make a difference for ourselves and the planet. It is unique in that it is a solutions-oriented look at one of America’s most pressing environmental challenges. Yes, this film has solutions for us; it is not “this is too depressing” and it is not “this problem is too big”.  «Read the rest of this article»

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S.O.A.R.E. explores the hidden destruction of mountaintop removal

September 30, 2008 |

On Thursday, October 2, at 7:30 p.m., the hidden destruction of the Appalachian Mountains will be revealed via the Mountaintop Removal Road Show. This program features a beautiful and thought-provoking multimedia show with traditional Appalachian music and culture.  The “roadshow” takes place at the APSU Sundquist Science Building Room E106B and is free and open to the public. It is presented by S.O.A.R.E., Students Organized to Advance Renewable Energy.

Mountaintop removal. Photo by Viv Stockman @ www.ohvec.org.

Lexington, Kentucky environmental activist Dave Cooper will explain what it is like to live near a mountaintop removal mine, and answer questions. «Read the rest of this article»

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