Energy Synergy

ENERGY SYNERGY

Environmentalist, power magnate agree on one thing: Education is key to sparking solutions to energy-related problems

BY ROGER HARRIS
harrisr@knews.com

MARYVILLE — Environmental activist Stephen Smith and TVA Director Bill Baxter are polar opposites on most energy-related issues, but they found some common ground Wednesday during a panel discussion at Maryville College.

Both agreed that only through better education will East Tennessee, or the world for that matter, solve complex issues related to power generation, development and air pollution.

"Get good, accurate information. Don't rely only on anecdotal information," Baxter told the more than 50 students, faculty members and visitors who attended the forum held in the Center for Campus Ministry chapel.

Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, added: "Become engaged. Become informed and vote."

"We need more forums like this where people can learn more about the issues," Smith continued.

From that point of agreement, Smith, Baxter and other panelists Jim Clinton, Liz Fishburn and Dan Klingensmith offered contrasting opinions on issues such as the future of nuclear power; the need for solar, wind and other "green" energy sources; and what individuals can do to influence government energy policies.

The panel discussion, entitled "POLLUTION, GROWTH AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY," was the last of the college's Spring 2004 Community Conversation series.

The topic of discussion was particularly timely given the release last

week of a federal report labeling the East Tennessee region as one of the worst air pollution offenders in the country. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the region is out of compliance with new, tougher clean-air standards and gave East Tennessee a nonattainment rating of "basic," the least severe out-of-compliance rating.

The FPA also said it would require tougher controls on issuance of air-pollution control permits, a move that could make recruiting new businesses to East Tennessee difficult.

"We've got our challenges here, but the good news is (air quality in the region) is getting better," Baxter said.

TVA has a $5 billion program to reduce air pollution emissions from its coal-fired power plants and it is increasing the amount of nuclear-generated power it supplies by bringing a third unit online at the Browns Ferry nuclear power plant, Baxter said.

Nuclear power doesn't pollute the air and is a cost-effective power sourer, the TVA director added.

Smith took issue with Baxter's nuclear advocacy. He called the investment in nuclear power plants a "failed experiment" that saddled TVA with enormous debt and diverted money which could have been spent on development of alternative power sources.

"We are spending billions of dollars on old technologies that, especially after 9-11, have serious safety issues," Smith said.

"If we make it an issue and we tell our government we are willing to pay (for energy research), it will happen."

JimClilton,
director of the Southern Growth Policies Board

Several members of the audience questioned the safety of nuclear power, especially the handling of nuclear waste.

Baxter responded by suggesting coal and nuclear power plants will continue to be developed because the nation is searching for ways to reduce its reliance on oil from the Middle East.

"What we have to do is find intelligent, safe ways to use those technologies," Baxter said.

Solving energy development issues will never be easy, but little will ever get done without public involvement, according to Clinton.

"If we make it an issue and we tell our government we are willing to pay (for energy research), it will happen," Clinton said.

Business writer Roger Harris may be reached at 865-342-6342.