This just in:

The Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced today that the Bush Administration stream buffer rule is legally deficient and requested that the court vacate and remand the rule. This means that we will return to the 1983 stream buffer rule.  Office of surface mining will be working  to update the 1983 rule. Expect public comment opportunities in the next few months.  To read more click here.

RvH

On Earth Day the Tennessee Attorney General did all of us a big favor by releasing an opinion on the selenium bill.  He concluded that the bill violates the Clean Water Act.  For more read op64_selenium-bill.

Today TVA requested a dismissal of claims in the Kingston fly ash disaster because they are making “meaningful progress to restore conditions…”

court-filing-to-request-dismissal-of-claims-final-4-17-09-1

RvH

That’s right.  We’ll be out of the office this Saturday and next Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.  That’s five chances to come out and say “howdy”.  We’d love to see you at one of these events:

Saturday, April 18- Knoxville Earth Day, Pellissippi State Tech Community College

Monday, April 20- Climate Change & Water Film Festival, Maryville College

Wednesday, April 22- Climate Change & Water Film Festival, Univ, of the South in Sewanee

Saturday, April 25- Oak Ridge Earth Day, Bissell Park in Oak Ridge

Sunday, April 26- Party for the Planet, Knoxville Zoo

Here’s a link to the resolution Knoxville city Council members will be considering tonight. http://www.cityofknoxville.org/citycouncil/agenda/11k.pdf

Some of these bills have already passed through the Senate and House environmnet committees, some unanimously, we hope that the Knoxville City Council will be as united to stop these bills.  I’ll be there at around 7:00 pm to answer Council member’s questions.

I’d personally like to thank Councilmen Rob Frost and Joe Hultquist for putting this resolution together. You guys are the best!!

Renee