Greater Nashville Regional Council Seeks Public Input on Air Quality and Energy Cost Reduction Initiatives

Greater Nashville Regional Council Invites Middle Tennesseans to Offer Insights on Air Quality & Energy Costs Improvements

In an effort to engage the community actively in sustainability initiatives, the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) has launched a call for Middle Tennesseans to share their insights on air quality improvement and reduction of energy costs. Three public workshops are scheduled for these insightful exchanges, providing opportunities for residents, stakeholders, and government agencies to actively contribute to their region’s healthier and more sustainable future.

A Collaborative Effort to Combat Climate Change

These workshops form part of the ongoing planning activities funded through a grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA manages the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program which has allocated $5 billion to states, local governments, tribes, and territories for the development and execution of plans aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollutants.

The GNRC has received $1 million to spearhead planning activities and community engagement efforts in the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The GNRC’s efforts will be coordinated with the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). The TDEC is leading statewide attempts to curate an emissions reduction plan called the Tennessee Volunteer Emission Reduction Strategy.

Through this collaborative action, the Greenhouse Gas Inventory will be developed regionally, and Middle Tennessee jurisdictions will identify high-priority projects that can be acted on readily, resulting in decreased emissions and air pollutants. The implementation of these projects is a successful step towards the shared funding that the Tennessee communities and public agencies can be eligible for, contributing to job creation, reduced energy costs for families and local businesses, and improved air quality and public health.

Workshop Timings and Locations

The online workshop will be held on February 22, 12:00 p.m. Participants can enlist at www.gnrc.org/CPRG. The in-person workshops, organized in an open house format with interactive exhibits, will be held at Hadley Park Community Center and Southeast Community Center, Nashville, on February 27 and 28, respectively. The agenda includes discussions regarding greenhouse gases and the significance of evaluating environmental impacts.

The feedback received during these workshops will help shape the region’s commitments towards improved air quality and reduced energy costs. In line with this, a spokesperson from GNRC urges, “As residents of Middle Tennessee, your perspective is critical in shaping a healthier and sustainable environment. We encourage everyone to participate actively in these workshops, share your thoughts and contribute to the region’s improved future.”

Through these significant efforts, the GNRC hopes to curate a sustainable and environmentally conscious future for Middle Tennessee, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.