SOCM's Report on Black Water Spill in New River Prompts Investigation
Last week, SOCM received news that "Black Water" (a by-product of coal processing) was sighted in the New River in Anderson County, Tenn., about 40 miles downstream from the Baldwin processing plant. After staffer Ann League and E3 Committee member Patrick Morales went to investigate the site, SOCM issued a press release which was quickly picked up by the media and subsequently prompted an official statement from TDEC (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation). At the time, the Baldwin processing plant had not come forward to report the spill to OSM (Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement) and TDEC, as required by law.
The Baldwin plant is owned by Premium Coal, which is owned by James C. Justice II of West Virginia. The Justice family acquired Knoxville-based National Coal Corp., on December 15th. Over the past several years, SOCM and its partner organizations have been monitoring numerous and continuous violations on the part of National Coal Corp. The company's own records continue to show violations of legal limits of iron, selenium, and other heavy metals in local waterways near several of their coal mines and processing plants. SOCM, in partnership with the Tennessee Clean Water Network and the Sierra Club, recently filed three more lawsuits against National Coal in November to enforce the pollution limits on two coal mines and one coal mine waste disposal area.
SOCM will continue to monitor the spill from the Baldwin processing plant to ensure appropriate action is taken and Premium Coal is held accountable for violating permit requirements.
Thanks to a great team effort and an alert local citizen in Anderson County, this large scale spill will not go unnoticed.
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SOCM Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
Here at SOCM, we strive to continue the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through community organizing and our continued commitment to empowering those directly affected by injustice. Our members are taking on social, economic, racial and environmental justice issues in each of our six chapters across the state and, just a few years ago, we made a commitment to being an anti-racist organization by developing the Anti-Racism Transformation Team.
This week, SOCM members have been and will be participating in MLK Day celebrations across the state.
On Friday, Jan. 13, SOCM co-sponsored an evening of social justice music at the Beck Cultural Center in Knoxville titled "Music is Our Chisel." Knoxville SOCM members will also be taking part in Knoxville's MLK Memorial Parade on Monday. Later in the evening, United Campus Workers is hosting a MLK Day Banquet at the Workers United Building which features a talk by Dr. George White on economic and racial justice.
Jackson Chapter members will be participating in The Martin Luther King, Jr., Annual Freedom March on Monday sponsored by the Jackson-Madison County NAACP Branch, Youth Council, and Lane College NAACP Chapter. The day begins at the T.R. White Sportsplex with a light breakfast and will end at the Jackson City Hall.
Maury County Chapter members will be marching in Columbia on Monday morning. The March begins at Mt. Lebanon Church and ends with a celebration and memorial service at Columbia State Community College.
Cumberland County members will gather at the Palace Theater at 6 p.m. to celebrate Dr. King's work and talk about where we go from here.
Please see SOCM's calendar of events for more information on a MLK celebration in your area.
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| Organizing Director Kazi Wilkins Trains Jackson Members
 The Jackson Chapter was thrilled to have Kazi Wilkins, SOCM's Organizing Director, at the last monthly meeting. She hosted an "Intro to Community Organizing" training which got members very excited about doing one-on-one meetings with community members and leaders who they want to build stronger relationships with through SOCM. These meetings will help us determine what issues are most important to the community, which will inform our future work. Twelve members attended the training and everyone left with renewed energy for the new year.
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Stakeholder Meeting Scheduled for OSM/BLM Proposed Merger
On October 26th, 2011, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar issued Secretarial Order No. 3315 announcing his plan to merge the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) into the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
SOCM takes the position that this is a very bad idea for several reasons:
- It is forbidden per Section 201 of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA).
- Inherent conflicts exist between the OSM's regulatory and BLM's coal development duties and their cross pollination is expressly forbidden by SMCRA.
- The burying of OSM in BLM will cause regulatory chaos and further isolate OSM and make it more difficult for citizens to oversee the federal government's mining and reclamation responsibilities.
- The Secretary does not have the executive power to bury the OSM within the BLM without Congressional action.
There will be a series of stakeholder meetings across the country where OSM and BLM officials will take input on the proposed merger. One meeting is scheduled in Knoxville on Friday, January 20th from 4pm to 7pm at the Pellissippi State College Auditorium- 10915 Hardin Valley Road. Please come down and let OSM and BLM know this proposed merger is a very bad idea. If you can't come to the meeting your Ideas and comments may be submitted here.
For more information please contact Ann League at ann@socm.org.
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Crab Orchard Still Fighting Landfill- Public Hearing Scheduled for Jan. 27
The Cumberland County chapter is still working to oppose a private landfill in Crab Orchard which would be located near Highway 70 and visible from I-40. Residents have been fighting this for several years. SCP Properties' original permit request was voted down, with 90% of the residents against it, but the company has filed another permit for a Class III landfill, which would allow waste like demolition materials. In addition to geographical features in the area which make it unsuitable for a landfill, the proposed location is within sight of several residences.
A public hearing will be held on January 27th at 6 p.m., in Crab Orchard. The location will be determined soon and posted on the SOCM website. All SOCM members are encouraged to attend the meeting. See our website or contact Cumberland County Chair Jean Cheely for more information.
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 "Cheers to SOCM" Knoxville friends, please join us for a special Happy Hour on Thursday, Jan. 19 from 5 - 7pm at Preservation Pub in downtown Knoxville. Bring your friends and enjoy a night out while supporting the important work that SOCM does. 10% of the sales and all the tips made between 5 - 7pm go to support SOCM!
We'll be on the 2nd floor of Preservation Pub, so be sure to order your drinks on the 2nd floor between 5 -7pm! |
January is National Radon Action Month
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air, but which can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. Scientists have long been concerned about the health risks of radon, but never before has there been such overwhelming proof that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans. The EPA estimated that radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
Testing homes for elevated levels of radon is simple and inexpensive. Radon test kits can be purchased at local hardware stores for under $25.00.
The Tennessee Radon Program urges all Tennessee residents to take action during this year's National Radon Action Month by testing their homes for radon. For more information on radon, radon testing and mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction, call the Tennessee Radon Program at 1-800-232-1139 or visit their website at www.tn.gov/environment/ea/radon. |
SOCM Works to Develop Theory of Social Change
All interested members encouraged to attend strategic planning workshop
On February 4th and 5th, SOCM will host a strategic planning workshop in Lebanon, Tennessee to develop SOCM's theory of social change. Why does SOCM need a theory of social change? Creating a theory of social change will help SOCM define and examine its beliefs as to how social change comes about and it will help SOCM examine its core strategies and methods for addressing problems and their root causes. With so much growth happening in SOCM, creating a theory of social change will help us identify what SOCM does well, what SOCM uniquely contributes to bring about change, and where SOCM needs to focus more of its resources. This is a very important process for an organization to engage in and it is important that we hear from as many members as possible during this process. We promise to have you out in plenty of time to watch the Super Bowl!All expenses will be paid for this workshop. Lodging and transportation will be provided for those who need it. A more detailed agenda will be available closer to the date. Please call either the Knoxville or Jackson office to reserve your spot today or email Amelia Parker at amelia@socm.org. |
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Your Community
Needs You
Join SOCM today! Click on the link below and designate your donation as membership dues or mail us a check with "new member" in the memo line.
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Cheers to SOCM
Thursday, January 19
Preservation Pub, Market Square, Knoxville
5 - 7 p.m.
Roaring River Chapter Meeting
Thursday, January 26
Cookeville Unity Church, Cookeville
7 - 9 p.m.
SOCM Board Meeting
Saturday, January 28
Lebanon, TN
9:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
SOCM Strategic Planning Session
February 4-5
TBD
MLK Annual Freedom March
Monday, January 16
T.R. White Sportsplex, Jackson
8 a.m.
MLK Memorial March
Monday, January 16
Tabernacle Baptist Church, Knoxville
8:30 a.m.
Monday, January 16
Mt. Lebanon Church, Columbia
8 a.m.
United Campus Workers MLK Banquet
Monday, January 16
Workers United Building, Knoxville
Christians for Peace and Justice
Monday, January 16
Palace Theatre, Crossville
6 p.m.
OSM/BLM Proposed Merger Stakeholder Meeting
Friday, January 20
Pellissippi State Community College, Knoxville
4 p.m.
Candelight Memorial Walk for Workers Killed on Henley Street Bridge
Tuesday, January 24
Henley Street Bridge, Knoxville
5 p.m.
Sponsors include Jobs with Justice of East Tennessee, Interfaith Worker Justice
Public Hearing on Proposed Crab Orchard Landfill
Friday, January 27
TBD, Crab Orchard
6 p.m.
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"Everybody can be great because everybody can serve."
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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