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Tell the House Subcommittee on Environment and Conservation Members to Start their Summer Studies
Pop Quiz time, SOCM members! These "true or false" questions are designed to test your knowledge of the inner-workings of our Tennessee legislature.
1. When a bill is sent to summer study, our legislators are required to convene and discuss the bill that summer.
2. Legislators are obligated to render a decision on the bills sent to summer study before the beginning of the next legislative session.
3. Many of our legislators are out on the campaign trail this summer, working to keep their seats in office.
Answers: False, False, True
Two of the bills SOCM monitored during the 2012 legislative session were sent to Summer Study, and SOCM members are committed to following their progress. Those pieces of legislation are the Responsible Coal Operators Bill and the Scenic Vistas Protection Act (see our legislative page for details on these important pieces of legislation).
SOCM members would like very much to work with our elected officials to see these bills receive some attention during these long hot summer months, and they will need to hear from you so that we can see some action! Legislators are largely outside of Nashville during the summer and many are actually on the campaign trail or back in their own home districts. We want to hold them responsible for meeting on these bills like they said they would!
Will you please take a few minutes out of your schedule to let your legislators hear from you this summer?
Please contact the Chair and Vice Chair of the House Subcommittee of Conservation and Environment and express your interest in having our legislators come together and meet this summer on the Responsible Coal Operators Bill (HB3199) and the Scenic Vistas Protection Act (HB 0291).
Contact information:
Subcommittee Chair Ron Loller- 615-741-7084, rep.ron.lollar@capitol.tn.gov
Vice Chair Richard Floyd- 615-741-2746, rep.richard.floyd@capitol.tn.gov
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Comments on Fracking Regulations Being Accepted until August 3rd
Over the past two years, members of SOCM's E3 Committee have worked together with members of the League of Women Voters, Sierra Club, Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning and Tennessee Clean Water Network to advocate for strong rules that would protect Tennessee's drinking water supplies from oil and gas drilling operations such as hydrofracking.
We are now at a critical point in the process, and could use your help!
On July 10th, several SOCM members testified at two public hearings held at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Knoxville office on the importance of strong regulations for fracking. If you were unable to make the meetings, you can still send comments to the Tennessee Oil and Gas Board in support of strong oil and gas rules that meet American Petroleum Institute (API) standards for hydrofracturing, and make requirements consistent, where applicable, with other TDEC permit programs, such as Water Pollution Control and Solid Waste. If you would like to include specific examples, see the consortium's proposed changes here. (The changes we proposed to the current rules are in green type; TDEC's proposed changes are in red.) Here is a factsheet to help you with your comments.
Deadline for comments is August 3, 2012 at 4:30pm Central
You can mail, fax, call in or e-mail comments:
Division of Water Pollution Control, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Attention: Michael Burton, 6th Floor, L & C Annex, 401 Church Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-1534
 Phone 615-532-0166; Fas 615-532-0686; Email: Michael.K.Burton@tn.gov You can also send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to help inform your neighbors about the dangers of poorly-regulated fracking. See our website for a sample letter.
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SOCM Co-Hosts Award-Winning Canadian Documentary in Knoxville
 SOCM, Appalachian Community Fund, the Birdhouse, and Relix Variety Theater hosted a screening of the documentary "Music from the Big House" on Saturday, July 14th in Knoxville. The film explores the bond that music forms between Rita Chiarelli, Canada's Queen of the Blues, and inmates serving life sentences at Louisiana State Maximum Security Penitentiary, also known as Angola Prison, culminating in an historic jailhouse performance by Rita and several talented inmates. The film did not focus on the sensational stories of the convicts; instead it focused on their voices of hope through their love of music and their quest for forgiveness. Attendees of the screening were graced with a live performance from the film's star, Rita Chiarelli.
We enjoyed the opportunity to co-host this inspirational film and performance with some of our wonderful partners in Knoxville.
For more on the film, see www.musicfromthebighouse.com.
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CMOP Hiring Part-Time Coordinator
We've just added a new job posting on our website. Community Media Organizing Project (CMOP) is seeking a coordinator. SOCM is a founding member of CMOP and Communications Director Casey Self plays an active role on its steering committee. The coordinator will be responsible for setting up steering committee meetings, the annual training, and finding and applying for funding. The position is part time. Click here for the job description.
Don't forget that we are still taking applications for SOCM's E3 Organizer. Click here for the job description. |
ART Team Holds Training in Jackson
SOCM's Anti-Racism Transformation Team (ARTT) held an anti-racism training with members of the Jackson chapter on June 16th in Jackson. Participants and trainers shared from their own experiences and discussed the ways that racism has permeated our society and its institutions. The ART Team stressed a definition of racism that focuses on the systemic and structural nature of the problem and is distinct from individual prejudice. The Jackson Chapter and ARTT are planning a follow-up discussion in September, to delve deeper, and to look at concrete steps for making a chapter or committee more diverse.
If you would like to find out more about SOCM's racial justice work, discuss becoming a member of the ART Team, or consider hosting a training or discussion for your stakeholder group in SOCM, please contact community organizer Brad Wright - brad@socm.org, 615-355-9356.
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Help SOCM Celebrate 40 Years of People Working Together for Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice in Tennessee
Who would have thought what started out as a small group of concerned citizens fighting for justice in their community would end up, 40 years later, a statewide organization that is still empowering Tennesseans across the state to stand up for their rights? Since 1972, SOCM has positively impacted the lives of thousands of people across this state, passing protective legislation and training community leaders to take an active role in the decisions that impact them. But there is still so much to do! People are still suffering injustices that limit their safety, health and basic freedoms. As a SOCM member, you are helping to reinforce a statewide community of people who believe that civic involvement and collective action are vital so that the people of Tennessee have a greater voice in determining their future.
Be a part of the change you want to see happen! If you are not already a member of SOCM, click here to join today. If you are already a member and would like to make a donation to support SOCM please click here.
Tennesseans across the state who have been empowered by SOCM thank you for your support!
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Join SOCM!
Your community needs you. Click on the link above to pay membership dues or click below to donate to SOCM and designate your donation as membership dues.
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Green Collar Jobs Committee Call
Tuesday, July 24
8 - 9 p.m. CT
Maury County Chapter Meeting about Mt. Pleasant
Thursday, July 26
St. James UPB Church, Mt. Pleasant
6:30 = 8 p.m.
SOCM Board Meeting
Saturday, July 28
Lebanon, Tenn.
9:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Roaring River Chapter Potluck by the Pool
Saturday, July 28
Brian Paddock and Mary Mastin's House, Cookeville
4 - 7 p.m.
Knoxville Chapter Meeting
Monday, July 30
Church of the Savior
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Bedford County Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, August 14
The Fly Arts Center, Shelbyville
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Rain Garden Workshop
Friday, July 20
Spring Hill, Tenn.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Tennessee Environmental Council will be working on a rain garden in the Duck River Watershed area. Please click here for more information or to register.
Electronic Dance Party Fundraiser to Benefit the Southern Energy Network
Friday, July 20
The Fallout, Cookeville
8 p.m.
The Southern Energy Network is hosting a dance party featuring local and Nashville DJs and local comedians Jeff Danger and Nic Axton. All ages are welcome. Admission is $5. See the Southern Energy Network's website here.
2nd Annual Community Renewable Energy Forum
Friday, July 27
Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council presents a forum on renewable energy opportunities for the upper cumberland area. To register before July 23, please click here.
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Learn More About the Tennessee Climate Action Campaign and Become a Part of the Team!
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E3 Organizer Position Opening
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"Stand with anybody that stands right. Stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong."
- Abraham Lincoln
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