Broad New Support for Tennessee Environmental Legislation

By Mary Buckner

TEC Representative to the Tennessee Conservation Voters

Tennessee Environment Council has collaborated more than ever this year with Tennessee Conservation Voters for better environmental law in our State.  Along with TEC, the Kilowatt Hours Group and Southern Environmental Law Center also stepped forward with new help.  That powerful combination, plus long-standing support from TSRA, Sierra Club and other traditional TCV groups, led to important successes on Tennessee’s Capital Hill.

“The extra involvement from groups and individuals has been tremendous,” says professional TCV lobbyist Stewart Clifton.  “We’ve had some of the most lively bill review sessions I can remember.”

One bad new bill requires the State to develop an energy conservation and use plan.  One bad bill, the so-called “ditch bill,” was temporarily halted through massive lobbying.  This bill would have ended TDEC protection for intermittent streams.

Perhaps most significant success is the Northern Cumberland Conservation Plan and Bond Issuance, the most ambitious land acquisition plan ever proposed in Tennessee.  After long TCV advocacy, the Governor initiated this plan, and as if this date, its passage looks likely.

“We’re very grateful to the Governor and TDEC for backing this plan, but what surprised us was the resistance and lack of understanding among some lawmakers,” says Stewart.  “There’s a critical need for education on the Hill about the importance of land conservation to the environment.”

TCV’s “Legislative Scorecard,” now in its fourth year, has a major impact because lawmakers pay close attention to their scores.  “Several of them regularly ream us out because they didn’t get better grades,” Stewart says.  “We just smile and tell them we hope they’ll do better next time.” 

Looking ahead, TCV hopes for a groundswell of more individuals, groups and environmental lobbyists, paid and volunteer, all working in the same direction for Tennessee.  But we need more advocates from around the state, preferably in every House and Senate district. There is still a shortage of volunteers from  counties.  “Nothing’s more important to a lawmaker than getting calls from voters back home,” Stewart says.  In the coming year, strengthening the state-wide network will be a major TCV focus. 

All the board members of TCV extend warm thanks to John McFadden and the TEC for their vital support and friendship.