Sen. Burchett announces approval of two Knox County bridge projects

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 11, 2009 –State Senator Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) today announced that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has approved two bridge projects in Knox County.  The projects were on the Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Bond Program’s phase 1 selection list announced by TDOT today.

“I am very pleased that these projects have been approved,” said Senator Burchett.  “These repairs are long overdue.  I am glad we are starting to address the issues to keep our bridges safe.” 

The projects include rehabilitation of the bridge over Southern Railway on Concord Road (SR-322) and replacement of the bridge over Meadow Creek on Ball Camp-Byington Road (SR-131).

“Bridge safety is a key concern.  We must continue to make the repairs needed to keep our roads safe,” Burchett concluded.

Sen. Southerland announces approval of two Greene County bridge projects

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 11, 2009 – Local State Senator Steve Southerland today announced that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has approved two bridge projects in Greene County.  The projects were on the Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Bond Program’s phase 1 selection list announced by TDOT today.

“We are very pleased that these projects have been approved,” said Senator Southerland, who is Vice-Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.  “Both of these bridge repair projects were needed to keep our road system safe.”

The projects include rehabilitation of the bridge over Rheatown Creek on SR-34/US-11E and replacement of the bridge over Richland Creek on SR-350 (East McKee Street).

“We will continue to work hard to see that improvements are made to our road system in Greene County for the safety of our citizens,” Southerland concluded. 

Sen. Faulk and Rep. Faulkner announce approval of Highway 33 Bridge Replacement

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 11, 2009 – Local State Senator Mike Faulk and Rep. Chad Faulkner today announced that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has approved replacement of the Highway 33 (Maynardville Highway) Bridge over Norris Lake and the Clinch River.  The project was on the Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Bond Program’s phase 1 selection list announced by TDOT today.

“I am very pleased that this project has been approved,” said Senator Faulk.  “This was a priority of mine in the State Senate from day one.  The current bridge is in terrible shape and is very dangerous due to the angle of the approaches.  I am thrilled that we were able to get this bridge on the list for replacement in phase 1 of the state’s selection list.   

“Senator Faulk and I have been in constant contact with Department of Transportation in support of this bridge project,” added Rep. Faulkner.  “We are extremely pleased that it has been approved.  This replacement is critical to the safety of local citizens who cross the bridge, especially in the winter months when there is snow and ice present.”  

"We will continue to work hard to see that improvements are made to our road system in Union County for the safety of our citizens and to welcome new jobs to our communities," Faulk concluded. 

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Sen. Southerland announces approval of five Cocke County bridge projects

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 11, 2009 – Local State Senator Steve Southerland today announced that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has approved five bridge rehabilitation projects in Cocke County.  The funds for the projects were on the Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Bond Program’s phase 1 selection list announced by TDOT today.

“We are very pleased that these projects have been approved,” said Senator Southerland who is Vice-Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.  “All of these bridge repair projects are needed to keep our road system safe.”

The projects include rehabilitation of two bridges on 1-40 in the Eastbound lane over the Pigeon River, the bridge on 1-40 over Branch at LM 2.4, and on SR-9/US-25W (E Broadway) over the French Broad River and Southern Railway.  It also includes the replacement of the bridge on SR-107 over Dry Ford Creek.

“We will continue to work hard to see that improvements are made to our road system in Cocke County for the safety of our citizens,” Southerland concluded.

Sen. Faulk and Rep. Faulkner announce approval of Highway 33 Bridge Replacement

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 11, 2009 – Local State Senator Mike Faulk and Rep. Chad Faulkner today announced that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has approved replacement of the Highway 33 (Maynardville Highway) Bridge over Norris Lake and the Clinch River.  The project was on the Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Bond Program’s phase 1 selection list announced by TDOT today.

“I am very pleased that this project has been approved,” said Senator Faulk.  “This was a priority of mine in the State Senate from day one.  The current bridge is in terrible shape and is very dangerous due to the angle of the approaches.  I am thrilled that we were able to get this bridge on the list for replacement in phase 1 of the state’s selection list.   

“Senator Faulk and I have been in constant contact with Department of Transportation in support of this bridge project,” added Rep. Faulkner.  “We are extremely pleased that it has been approved.  This replacement is critical to the safety of local citizens who cross the bridge, especially in the winter months when there is snow and ice present.”  

"We will continue to work hard to see that improvements are made to our road system in Union County for the safety of our citizens and to welcome new jobs to our communities," Faulk concluded. 

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State School Bond Authority approves bonds for Hawkins County Schools says Sen. Faulk and Rep. Harrison

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 10, 2009 -- – Hawkins County lawmakers, Sen. Mike Faulk and Rep. Mike Harrison, said today the State School Bond Authority has approved Qualified School Construction Bonds for two Hawkins County Schools.  The Board’s action releases $1.38 million for repairs to Rogersville Middle School and funds to replace the roof, windows and technical upgrades for Surgoinssville Elementary School.

The Tennessee State School Bond Authority (TSSBA) is providing low- or no-interest loans, which will be made from the proceeds of Qualified School Construction Bonds for school systems.  The purpose of the bonds are to build new schools or to rehabilitate and repair existing schools.  The loans were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). 

“We are very pleased that the Board has approved these needed bonds for construction for our local schools,” said Senator Faulk.  “This action will enable us to move ahead with needed repairs for these schools.”

“We are very excited that this money will be available for these two schools,” added Rep. Harrison.  “This money is needed to help our county keep up with school repair needs.”

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State School Bond Authority approves bonds for Union County Schools says Rep. Faulkner and Sen. Faulk

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 10, 2009 -- – Union County lawmakers, Rep. Chad Faulkner and Sen. Mike Faulk, said today the State School Bond Authority has approved Qualified School Construction Bonds for two Union County Schools.  The Board’s action releases $6.7 million for the construction of the new Paulette Elementary School and $347,736 for an addition to Lutrell Elementary School.

The Tennessee State School Bond Authority (TSSBA) is providing low- or no-interest loans, which will be made from the proceeds of Qualified School Construction Bonds for school systems.  The purpose of the bonds are to build new schools or to rehabilitate and repair existing schools.  The loans were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). 

“We are very pleased that the Board has approved these needed bonds for construction for our local schools,” said Senator Faulk.  “This action will enable us to move ahead with construction on these schools.”

“We are very excited that this money will be available for these two schools,” added Rep. Faulkner, who attended Thursday’s Board meeting in Nashville.  “These projects are very needed to help our schools grow and I am pleased that they were approved by the Board.”

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National Park Service puts Savannah Historic District
on National and Tennessee Registers of Historic Places

(NASHVILLE, TN) September 9, 2009 -- State Senator Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) said today she has been notified by the Tennessee Historical Commission that the Savannah Historic District has been placed in the National and Tennessee Registers of Historic Places by the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior. 

The National Register is a guide used by federal, state, and local governments, private groups and citizens to identify the nation's cultural resources and to indicate what properties should be considered for protection.   The areas included in the Savannah Historic District would be roughly bounded by College, Main, Tennessee and Williams Streets.

“Savannah has a wonderful heritage that should be passed down for many generations to come,” said Senator Gresham.  “This designation is a planning tool that will help in those efforts.”

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DOE should act quickly to support the American Centrifuge project
An Editorial from Senator Randy McNally

September 2, 2009 -- For decades, Tennessee has been on the cutting edge in developing America’s most needed energy technologies.   In fact, the best scientific minds in the world come to Tennessee to work on advancing these technologies at our world-class facility in Oak Ridge. 

Promoting innovative American technologies, creating good-paying American jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy shouldn’t just be goals -- they should be fundamental ways of life for our state and our country!  Our Legislature has made great strides over the past few years in incorporating those goals in how we do business in Tennessee, including approval of a Solar Energy Institute this year.   

We are focused on these priorities, not just because they sound good, but because they will help lead Tennessee and this nation out of our current economic situation.  We must look to the future and make sure we are building a strong foundation to meet the energy demands and regulatory challenges we now face in a new era.

Clearly, alternative energies like wind and solar will play an important role, particularly in certain areas of the country where they are most successful.  However, it is critical in to our economy and America’s energy future, that we look at the mix of energy sources that will help us achieve independence from foreign sources.  Nuclear energy, which is clean and efficient, is a very important part of that mix.  

Tennessee’s position as a global leader in nuclear energy is a legacy that we take very seriously.  The American Centrifuge technology was born of Department of Environment (DOE) research in Tennessee at Oak Ridge.  However, due to the moratorium on new nuclear reactor construction in the in 1970’s and 80’s, we slowly lost our technological advantage in this area to foreign competitors.  Over the past decade, significant steps have been made to reverse this dangerous trend.  Recently, we’ve been developing the world’s most effective and efficient system for enriching uranium to provide fuel for nuclear power plants.

Many of the Oak Ridge National Lab retirees who previously worked on the lab's centrifuge program have been called back into action, some after many years of retirement, to finish what they started.  Young and old have worked side by side on this project, sharing important knowledge.   It is called the American Centrifuge Project, and when it goes into operation, it will help the U.S. produce fuel to power its nuclear needs far into the future. 

It will ensure that our nuclear future is built on a solid foundation so we are not dependent on other countries to provide us with vital energy resources.  It will also ensure that the U.S. and Tennessee remains a world technological leader.

Unfortunately, the project has been slowed by the federal government’s failure to approve an essential Loan Guarantee needed for the project.  A U.S. company, USEC Inc. is working in Oak Ridge to revitalize DOE’s technology, improve it and put it to work in the first U.S. owned and operated uranium enrichment facility in half a century. 

The immediate effect of this decision is the potential loss of over 1,500 Tennessee jobs.  However, the long term effect is much more daunting as we seek energy independence.  If DOE can’t support its own technology, our companies and manufacturers are left to wonder if they should be investing in any nuclear projects at all.  All of this takes place almost in the shadow of where the Tennessee Valley Authority is building a new nuclear reactor at Watts Barr. 

After many years of sporadic support for advancing nuclear energy technology, the American Centrifuge Project has placed Oak Ridge and Tennessee back in the middle of our nation’s energy future.  The American Centrifuge project is one of those key opportunities where we can promote innovative American technologies, while creating good-paying jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy all at once.  We need the DOE to act quickly to support this project.

Randy McNally
Chairman, Senate Finance Committee
Tennessee State Senate 

NOTE:  Senator McNally (R-Oak Ridge) represents District 5 in the Tennessee State Senate

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State Senators ask Sec. Chu to support loan guarantee for American Centrifuge Project

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 2, 2009 –Senate Finance Committee Chairman Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) and several other key leaders in the Tennessee State Senate have asked U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu to intervene and support granting a loan guarantee for the American Centrifuge Project in Oak Ridge.  The lawmakers, who sent a letter to Chu last week, said 1,500 Tennessee jobs could be in jeopardy if the Department of Energy (DOE) does not act on the matter.

Among those signing the letter to Secretary Chu were Speaker Pro Tempore Jamie Woodson (R-Knoxville), Environment Chairman Steve Southerland (R-Morristown), Transportation Committee Chairman  Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville), Calendar Committee Chairman Mike Faulk (R-Church Hill), Senator Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) and Senator Ken Yager (R-Harriman).

 “The American Centrifuge project is one of those key opportunities where we can promote innovative American technologies, while creating good-paying Tennessee jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy,” said Senator McNally.  “The loan guarantee is critical to moving this project forward.”

A U.S. company USEC Inc. is working in Oak Ridge to revitalize DOE’s technology, improve it and put it to work in the first U.S. owned and operated uranium enrichment facility in half a century.  The project has been an economic boon in Oak Ridge as new nuclear scientists and engineers work side by side with some of the retired people that developed the original technology.  However, USEC has run into challenges due to the current economic environment and construction activities on the project are being demobilized as the company works with DOE to meet financial and technical criteria needed to obtain financing under the loan guarantee program. 

 “We hope this will simply be a temporary disruption,” added Senator Yager.  “The American Centrifuge is not just important for Tennessee, but for the entire country.  Losing a project like the American Centrifuge further reduces our nuclear energy leadership role globally.  In the end, we may find ourselves just as dependent on foreign sources of energy as we are now unless we have this in our mix of solutions for energy independence.”

“Energy independence will be achieved by producing abundant, clean and affordable domestic energy through new technology, like that being developed in this project,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Woodson.  “While nuclear power produces only 20 percent of America’s electricity, it produces 70 percent of carbon-free, pollution-free electricity.  That is why it is so important to any plan to gain energy independence.”

“Failure to proceed in developing this technology would result in loss of jobs in Tennessee, relocation of domestic industries abroad, and rising energy prices which will impact consumers’ lives,” said Senator Burchett.  

“This project has put Tennessee right back in the middle of our nation’s energy future,” added Senator Faulk.  “After losing ground technologically to companies overseas in the aftermath of the moratorium on nuclear construction, we are finally reemerging in technological advancements and positioning Tennessee as a world leader in this field.  We cannot afford to take a step back in these efforts.”

“Tennessee, and particularly Oak Ridge, has a strong legacy in energy production,” Senator Tracy.  “If we are to achieve any success at reducing carbon emissions, nuclear energy must be a part of the solution.” 

“Alternative energies like wind and solar will play an important role in America’s future, but it remains clear that nuclear energy is critical to creating jobs and reducing our dependence on foreign energy,” Senator Southerland concluded.  “We need the DOE to act quickly to support this project.”

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