Community Groups to Gather and Urge Knoxville to “Show Some Love” for Climate Program Funding

Event to highlight community support for the Mayor and City Council to take real action to meet Knoxville’s carbon reduction goals

February 11, 2020
Contact: Kate Tracy, 865-235-1448, [email protected]

Knoxville, Tennessee – In August of 2019, the City of Knoxville passed carbon reduction goals that aim to cut city government carbon emissions 50% from 2005 levels by 2030 and cut community-wide carbon emissions 80% by 2050. Meeting these goals through renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean transportation can help lower Knoxvillians’ electricity bills, improve air quality and public health, protect Knoxville’s unique natural spaces, and reduce the worst impacts of climate change that have already begun to affect Knoxvillians.

The City will commence its annual budget retreat on Friday, February 14th. Prior to the start of the budgeting process, community groups and energy policy experts including the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), One Knox Legacy Coalition, Sierra Club, and Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development (SEEED) will be gathering outside the City-County building and showing support for the Mayor and City Council taking steps to ensure plans to meet the climate goals are included in the 2020 City budget. Groups will also be available to answer questions on how the city can equitably achieve Knoxville’s carbon reduction goals.

WHAT: Press Conference: “Show Some Love” for clean energy prior to the City Council budget retreat. Speakers to include Maggie Shober, SACE Director of Utility Reform; Calvin Taylor Skinner, Co-founder, One Knox Legacy Coalition; Joanne Logan, Sierra Club; and Stefan White, Curriculum Director, SEEED.
WHEN: Thursday, February, 14, 11:30 AM – 12 PM
WHERE: Knoxville City-County Building, Lawn area, 400 Main St. SW, Knoxville, TN, 37902

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About the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
Since 1985, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy has worked to promote responsible energy choices to ensure clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Southeast. Learn more at www.cleanenergy.org.

One Knox Legacy Coalition (OKLC) is a nonpartisan effort to educate, engage and mobilize voters the African-American community in Knox County. Using proven grassroots organizing, marketing, and turnout strategies. Partnering with faith-based and civic organizations, OKLC convenes events to enhance voter engagement and mobilization. Ultimately, the vision of OKLC is to amplify the social justice voice and empower the rising generation of leaders in Knox County by developing a pipeline of civic and political leaders. Learn more at www.oneknoxlegacy.org

SEEED is a green community development non-profit focusing on creating and sustaining jobs for Knoxville’s urban young people, as well as ensuring clean energy technologies are available for low-income residents. Learn more at www.seeedknox.com.