Urgent Action: Tell the State Building Commission to vote NO on University of Tennessee Fracking Study

Deadline: Friday, March 8th at 2pm CT/3pm ET

Send Comments to: Georgia.Martin@tn.gov

On Monday, the State Building Commission announced a four-day written public comment period for the proposed UT Fracking Study in the Cumberland Forest. 

The University of Tennessee has proposed to open up the Cumberland Forest, a UT-owned research station in Morgan and Scott counties, to fracking. The royalties from any natural gas produced from the wells would help fund a research project that would study the effects of fracking. Members of SOCM's E3 Committee have been engaged in this issue and are opposed to the study. 

Some concerns about the UT Fracking study are:

• Lack of transparency on behalf of UT
• An inadequate four-day public comment period
• Opening up public lands to be leased to oil and gas companies 

Tell Nashville to Keep Fracking Out of Tennessee's Public Lands Now! 

There has been too much secrecy, not enough transparency and not enough time for public comment. Let the State Building Commission know that you DO NOT want fracking on public lands.

The Executive Subcommittee of the State Building Commission will hold a special meeting, with opportunity for public comments, on Friday, March 15th at 2pm CT to decide if this study will move forward. Before the meeting, please join us on Legislative Plaza for a rally and press conference beginning at noon.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Organizer Parker Laubach at parker@socm.org or 847-721-5189.