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One of the most important things we can do as citizens to advocate for environmental protection and public health is to express our views and concerns to elected officials and civic leaders entrusted with the care of our air, water, and land.  Below you will find contact information for elected officials, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation; basic tips for writing to these individuals; and 2 sample letters to get your ideas flowing.  For more information on Tennessee environmental issues -- including statistics and facts that you might want to include in your letter(s) -- take a look at the "Issues" section of our website, accessible from our homepage. 

* Addresses and phone numbers for Tennessee members of the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as members of the State House and Senate, may be obtained at: www.congress.org.

1. Read the "Talking Points" on any case at least twice to familiarize yourself with the specific list of concerns.

2. Be brief. Usually one page is enough to convey your message and keep the attention of the reader.

3. Be factual. Relay the details of the case as you know them. Do not discuss ideology or politics. Your message must focus on the issue at hand.

4. Be polite. Using offensive or sarcastic language is not effective. Assume the official is not informed but is willing to learn about and examine the issue you describe in an open-minded and reasonable way.

5. Show respect. You will most likely keep the reader's attention by showing respect for the public official and the responsibilities of that office . If there have been positive developments relating to the situation (particularly those the official was involved in bringing about) or positive outcomes in other states or regions that parallel this case, and if space permits, you might mention them.

6. Write clearly. It is often suggested that handwritten or typed letters are more effective than email.  However, the official must be able to read your letter easily!   So if you choose to write you letter by hand, make sure your writing is plain and legible.

7. Use shortcuts. Do whatever is necessary to make your letter-writing as quick and easy as possible. That way letters won't be put off and they can be sent out sooner and more frequently! You may find it useful to refer to the sample passages and talking points to get your letter started and shake writer's block.

8. Multiply your efforts. Use the relevant sections of your letter in a letter to the editor of your local newspaper on the same topic.  Include a "cc:" at the bottom of the letter to the government official notifying her/him of the letter to the editor.

Sample Letter 1: Proposed Uranium Enrichment Plant, Hartsville, TN

The Honorable Phil Bredesen
State Capitol
Nashville, TN  37243-0001

Dear Gov. Bredesen:

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed uranium enrichment plant that LES seeks to build in Trousdale County.   Since LES announced its intention last fall to locate a uranium facility in Hartsville, I have been following news stories on this issue carefully and educating myself about nuclear power, nuclear waste, and the background of LES.  I feel that it is in the best interest of the citizens of Hartsville and the state of Tennessee that LES not be permitted to continue with its plans.  I urge you to consider the following points and do all that you can to protect the citizens and environment of Tennessee by halting the proposed uranium plant.

1.) LES has at this time no workable plan to dispose of the thousands of tons of radioactive waste that the plant will produce.  It is doubtful that one will be developed in the near future, as nuclear waste disposal continues to be a costly and intractable problem nationwide.  Storing the waste on site involves serious safety and health risks, despite LES's assurances that this process would be benign.  Even a cursory glance at the safety record of uranium facilities across the nation indicates that dangerous waste materials continue to pose health risks even with the strictest of safety precautions.

2.) LES has not conducted itself in a straightforward and trustworthy manner either in its dealings thus far with the people of Tennessee or in its negotiations with citizens of Homer, Alabama who succeeded in preventing LES from siting the plant in their town.  The company has wavered and contradicted itself on the issue of waste disposal.  It has also been disingenuous in  communicating with the public by insisting on calling radioactive nuclear waste simply a "byproduct" of the enrichment process. How, then, could we trust this company's claims to be acting in the best interest of Trousdale County or telling the truth on issues of public safety and environmental protection?

3.) A glut in enriched uranium exists in the uranium market.  This bodes poorly for the long-term economic viability of the plant and seriously calls into question the need for such a facility at all.  Furthermore, if after several years of operation the plant is forced to close, who would pay for clean up at the site?  Estimated costs for clean up at similar sites exceed one billion dollars.

4.) While Trousdale County stands in need of economic stimulus, economic needs must take into account other factors as well, such as the health of the community, the protection of environmental resources, and the quality of life entailed by various economic decisions.  The human, environmental, and safety costs and risks associated with a uranium enrichment plant far exceed the economic benefits that LES might provide for the region.

I am excited by the leadership demonstrated by county commissioners who have spoken out against the plant and have called for a public referendum on the matter.  I trust that upon consideration of this critical community issue, you will find that LES?s proposed uranium enrichment facility does not serve the interests of Trousdale County or the state of Tennessee, either long-term or short-term.  As your constituent, I urge you to exert your leadership in opposing the facility and to work for better economic options for the people of Hartsville.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Tennessee Citizen

cc: Editor, The Tennessean

Sample Letter 2: Tennessee Air Quality

The Honorable  Phil Bredesen
State Capitol
Nashville, TN  37243-0001

Dear Governor Bredesen,

Tennessee has some of the worst air quality in the nation. As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to lead efforts to clean up our air through tougher standards for power plants, a halt to new merchant power plants in Tennessee, a reduction in NOx and SOx emissions and investment in cleaner energy sources.

Our citizens suffer negative health effects from polluted air.  The American Lung Association and others report that asthma attacks, mercury contamination, respiratory distress, heart disease, compromised immunity and even premature death result from air pollution.  Our children are at even greater risk because they spend more time outdoors and have vulnerable immune systems that are still developing.  In addition to the hardship and grief these diseases bring to those affected and their families, Tennessee citizens pay added costs in health care expenses, lost work time and school absences.  The air quality of our state must be improved for the health of our families and communities.

The environmental damage of air pollution is similarly troubling.  Recently the Great Smoky Mountains was placed on the list of the 10 Most Polluted National Parks.  Views that should range for nearly 100 miles from the mountain peaks are frequently reduced by haze and smog to as little as 20 -- or even 5 --  miles.  Acid rain resulting from air pollution hurts our forests and wildlife.  Mercury emissions contaminate our rivers and streams.  Not only is air pollution threatening our natural heritage, but it also is making Tennessee as less desirable place for tourists and visitors.

Even though the federal government is rolling back pollution control standards, Tennessee can nonetheless prevent further harm and improve our air quality by ensuring that coal-fired power plants are cleaned up and strict standards are put in place to reduce harmful emissions.  In addition, it is time to invest in cleaner energy sources such as wind power, natural gas and solar.  The citizens of Tennessee deserve cleaner air to breath. I support all that you can do to make clean air our future.

Thank you for your time, Governor Bredesen.  I appreciate and applaud your efforts to protect our environment and public health.

Sincerely,

Tennessee Citizen
cc: Editor, Knoxville News Sentinel
cc: Betsy Child, TDEC Commissioner