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Tennessee Awarded $1.8 Million in ARRA Funding for Broadband

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 | 02:14 pm

NASHVILLE –Tennessee will receive $1.8 million in federal funding for broadband mapping and planning in an effort to increase the availability and use of high-speed Internet service in the state.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) matching grant is awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Recovery Act, Finance & Administration

State Health Department Completes Health Assessment Of Kingston Coal Ash Spill Site

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 | 02:59 pm

Public Comments Accepted Through February 9, 2010

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health’s (TDH) Environmental Epidemiology Program, under a cooperative agreement with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), has completed a draft health assessment for Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Kingston coal ash spill site and is accepting public comments now through February 9, 2010, it was recently announced. Both the 200-page assessment and a four-page fact sheet summary are available on the department’s Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/coalashspill.htm.

Health

Bredesen Announces Aeronautics Grants for 13 Tennessee Airports

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 | 02:33 pm
$10.5 million Provide for Infrastructure and Other Improvements
 
NASHVILLE—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that federal and state aeronautics grants totaling $10.5 millionhave been approved for 13 Tennessee airports.
 
“Our local airports are vital to the economy and travel system of Tennessee,” said Bredesen. “Investing in our airports helps keep them competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of businesses and travelers.”
Transportation

Law Requiring Antifreeze Bittering Agent Takes Effect

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 | 11:36 am
Antifreeze
Antifreeze
NASHVILLE – The Haley Ham Law requiring a bittering agent in all antifreeze sold in Tennessee takes effect on Jan. 1, 2010. The law is intended to help prevent the accidental or intentional poisoning of people, pets and other animals as a result of ingesting antifreeze or engine coolants. 
 
“As the agency charged with enforcing this new law, we are working with the manufacturers and retailers to ensure compliance,” said Commissioner Ken Givens. “Consumers can feel confident that antifreeze manufactured and sold after Jan. 1 in Tennessee will contain the bittering agent.”
Agriculture

State Fire Marshal’s Office Rolls Out Electronic Plans Review

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 | 11:31 am
Effort to Reduce Costs for Architects, Engineers
 
NASHVILLE, TN – The State Fire Marshal’s Office’s (SFMO) process for reviewing architects’ and engineers’ drawings for compliance with construction safety codes has just gotten easier and less expensive, with the implementation of an online portal application.
Commerce & Insurance

Governor’s Highway Safety Office Launches Cumberland Crackdown

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 | 11:00 am
NASHVILLE – Law enforcement agencies across the Cumberland Region are working together to save lives on Tennessee roadways. The Governor’s Highway Safety Office will join 88 agencies from 28 counties to kick off the Cumberland Crackdown at noon, Wednesday, December 30.
 
The Crackdown will be one of the largest enforcement events in Tennessee. Law enforcement agencies will be focusing their efforts on some of the deadliest highways in their jurisdiction (see list below).  These highways were identified by the Department of Safety using data from the present all the way back to 1994. Agencies will conduct sobriety checkpoints and saturation points along these roadways from 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 30th until 3:00 a.m., Thursday.
 
Transportation

Planning Funds Available for Private Forest Landowners

Monday, December 21, 2009 | 10:14 am
Healthy Forest
Healthy Forest
NASHVILLE – Private forest landowners seeking assistance to manage their forests can now get help with the cost of developing a detailed forest management plan.
 
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is currently accepting applications from landowners to receive funding to hire experts who specialize in developing multi-resource forest management plans. The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2010.
Agriculture

TRC Graduates Overcome Physical and Emotional Barriers to Achieve Success

Friday, December 18, 2009 | 04:44 pm
Students from Across the State Take Steps Toward Independence
 
SMYRNA , Tenn. – One of the largest groups of young men and women graduated today from the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Smyrna today.   Eighty-nine young men and women with significant disabilities walked or rolled their wheelchairs across the stage this morning during a graduation ceremony at the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center. The students, whose disabilities include quadriplegia, mental retardation, and traumatic brain injury, overcame tremendous barriers to get here today.
Human Services

TDOT Crews Ready to “Beet” Ice and Snow This Winter

Friday, December 18, 2009 | 11:03 am
Plows work to clear snow along I-26
Plows work to clear snow along I-26
New Tools to Help Keep Tennessee Roads Free of Ice and Snow This Season
 
NASHVILLE – Winter weather is here and the Tennessee Department of Transportation is ready to "beet" ice and snow this winter season using some new ice and snow removal tools, including beet juice. This winter TDOT will use beet juice mixed with salt and salt brine at various locations across the state to improve the ability to remove snow and ice from state roads and interstates.  Beet juice is a by-product of the beet after the sugar has been extracted. The department is also evaluating the effectiveness of larger snow plows and some new tools for applying salt and de-icing agents. 
 
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Transportation