I want the citizens of Anderson County to know as mayor, I have not signed a resolution brought to county commission that requests funding to “offset the financial and environmental burdens” of a proposed expansion of an existing U.S. Department of Energy disposal site, or the creation of a new cell, that for all intents and purposes, would be a twin site.

In my humble and steadfast view, there is no amount of money that could sufficiently offset environmental harm, and I would not put the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Anderson County up for negotiation on a spreadsheet to balance the books of county government.

What I can do, and have for the last three years that I have served as mayor, is closely watch the proposal as it winds its way through a very monitored and specific process. I have participated in community workshops on the subject, held private meetings with leadership and staff of DOE’s Environmental Management Team, have been on site at the current disposal cell, am attentive to all briefings at our regular governmental meetings with DOE and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. [Read more…]