Tennessee
Legal Updates
June 2011
The Air Pollution Control Board denied OCT’s petition for rule making. OCT is working with youth and our partners to take further action to achieve the necessary emission reductions in Tennessee. Please check periodically for updates on our next steps, and if you would like to get involved with the effort or if you have any questions, please contact us.
June 13th, 2011
Hearing before the Air Pollution Control Board at 9.30 am. Location: 17th Floor, L & C Annex, 401 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37243
May 4th, 2011
Petition for rule-making filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Division of Air Pollution Control.
Climate Change Impacts in Tennessee
The following points are taken from the petition filed in May. Click on each topic below for more information.
Since 1970 annual average temperature in the Southeastern U.S. has risen about 2 degrees (Fahrenheit), with the greatest increases in temperature observed during the winter months. It is predicted that by the year 2100, temperatures in Tennessee could increase an additional 2-3 degrees, with a 20%-30% increase in rainfall in the spring, summer and fall months. Average daily temperature in Nashville has increase 1 degree in the last century, and in many parts of the state, precipitation has increased as much as 10%. With further warming trends, the frequency of extreme hot days in the summer is expected to increase, as are extreme fluctuations between drought and flooding.
Higher temperatures cause increased evapotranspiration in plants and moisture loss from soils. As a result, it is predicted that there will be an increase in the frequency, intensity and duration of drought events in the southeast region of the U.S.
Precipitation in the Southeastern U.S. has increased approximately 10%, primarily in the fall months since 1970, and is expected to increase by more than 30% in the coming century. Even with these increases in precipitation, the extent of drought area in the region has increased in the fall, spring and summer by 9%, 12% and 14% since 1970. This trend is expected to continue with climate change.
The number of freezing days in the southeast Region has decreased by 4-7 days per year since 1975.
It is predicted that with further changes to climate, increases in frequency and severity of summer thunderstorms will occur.
2. Climate Change will adversely effect Tennessee's Forests and Wildlife
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Tennessee Petition.pdf | 1.4 MB |
