Tennessee

Gov. Bredesen, Commissioner Kisber Announce Location of $200 Million Solar Manufacturing Facility

01/21/2010 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today joined senior leaders of Missouri-based Confluence Solar to announce that the company has selected Clinton, Tennessee as the home of their new manufacturing, warehousing and distribution facility.

November 19, 2009, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee approved Congressman Bart Gordon’s bipartisan legislation to ban the importation of foreign radioactive waste. Gordon’s bill, the Radioactive Import Deterrence (RID) Act, H.R. 515, would prevent foreign-generated radioactive waste from being processed in Tennessee and disposed in the U.S.

“We’re the only nation in the world that accepts the nuclear waste of other countries for disposal and incurs the responsibility of monitoring it for generations to come,” said Gordon. “I am pleased my colleagues on the Committee recognized the importance of stopping this practice and approved this bipartisan legislation. Today’s vote brings the RID Act one step closer to becoming law.”

11/16/2009 -- Tennessee Governor Bredesen today began his eighth round of open budget hearings. Upon taking office in January 2003, Bredesen made a commitment to open the budget process to give Tennesseans full view of how their tax dollars fund state government.

"I'm proud to have started the tradition of open hearings here in Tennessee and hope we will continue to serve as an example of open government," said Bredesen. "Tennessee taxpayers have a right to see how their money is being spent, and these discussions are a big part of that process. That becomes especially important in tough times like these when every dollar counts."

As he opened hearings for the FY 2010-2011 budget, Bredesen warned this will be a very difficult year in the face of serious economic challenges.

11/10/2009 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen attended the Music City Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony Sunday to present friend and music legend Dolly Parton with her star which will be placed on Nashville’s Music Mile. Dolly Parton shared the honors with Charlie Daniels and Kid Rock, as well as the late Ernest Tubb and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge founder Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess.

Governor Bredesen spoke about Parton’s contributions to the world through music and her fame across the globe.

15 October 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today received a firm commitment from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that the long-awaited Little Rock-Memphis High Speed Rail Study will be started next year.

October 13, 2009, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bart Gordon said he was pleased the U.S. Department of Energy revised its decision to send radioactive waste from New York to Tennessee for disposal in municipal landfills. The decision comes after DOE held a conference call and was met with strong opposition to the plan from interested stakeholders, including Congressman Bart Gordon, Tennessee environmentalists and government watchdog groups.

“This decision is a victory for Tennessee,” said Congressman Gordon. “This contaminated waste is radioactive and should be disposed of in a landfill that is officially certified to handle this kind of waste. There is no reason for New York’s radioactive waste to be dumped in any of Tennessee’s municipal landfills.”

09/16/2009 -- U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today confirmed funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support the Volunteer State Solar Initiative in Tennessee. Under DOE’s State Energy Program, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has proposed a statewide plan that prioritizes energy savings, creates or retains jobs, increases the use of renewable energy, and reduces carbon pollution.

“This funding will provide an important boost for the state’s economy, help to put Americans back to work, and move us toward energy independence,” said Secretary Chu. “It reflects our commitment to support innovative state and local strategies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy while insisting that taxpayer dollars be spent responsibly.”

07/08/2009 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen today ceremonially signed into law the Tennessee Clean Energy Future Act of 2009, legislation that has been dubbed “the cornerstone for all future energy policy” in the Volunteer State.

In signing the act, Bredesen was joined by key lawmakers who were instrumental in passing the bill, as well as members of the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy whose recommendations served as the basis for the new law. More than 50 lawmakers co-sponsored the legislation, with key sponsors including: Senators Jim Kyle, Andy Berke, Randy McNally and Ken Yager, and Representatives Les Winningham, Phillip Johnson, Kevin Brooks, Jim Hackworth, Joe McCord and Mike Turner.

06/17/2009 -- BIRR, Switzerland - Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen toured Alstom’s Turbine and Generator rotor manufacturing operation Tuesday in Birr, Switzerland. The tour of the Swiss power company is one of Bredesen’s recruiting efforts to expand European investment in Tennessee’s clean energy sector. The Alstom manufacturing operation is known worldwide for producing equipment used in coal, gas and nuclear plants.

“I’ve long said that it makes sense for Tennessee to redouble its effort to recruit new business, even though the global economy is in recession,” Bredesen said. “The people of Tennessee need higher skilled, good paying jobs, and now is not the time to pull back or retrench.”

June 1, 2009 --WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) made the following statement today:

“I’ve spent the past 24 hours on the phone with GM officials, the auto task force, Governor Bredesen, and the local mayors and economic development officials.

“I’m obviously very disappointed in the decision by GM officials and the administration to idle our Spring Hill plant but glad it’s idled for a period and not closed and certainly happy for the 600 Tennesseans that will remain employed. I’m saddened by the effect this will have on the many families who derive their incomes directly from the Spring Hill plant as well as the suppliers and vendors who depend on it.