Public hearing set for Memphis commercial clean-energy program
The program could provide low-cost loans to businesses wanting clean energy upgrades.
Keely Brewer
Reporter
Keely Brewer is a Report for America corps member covering environmental impacts on communities of color in Memphis. She is working in partnership with the Ag & Water Desk, a sustainable reporting network aimed at telling water and agriculture stories across the Mississippi River Basin.
There are 322 articles by Keely Brewer :
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June 2022
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City of Memphis -
Editor's Pick
City of MemphisRubbish to rubber: Trail project recycles 24,000+ illegally dumped tires
A Tennessee State Parks employee used the materials to create a walking and biking trail at T.O. Fuller State Park.
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City of Memphis First public bidder for MLGW electricity contract is familiar name
At a meeting Tuesday, local residents in favor of a split from the Tennessee Valley Authority criticized MLGW’s bid process — and learned who submitted at least one of the power proposals.
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Metro Heat wave strains power supply, customers asked to cut back usage
Amid record-breaking power demand region-wide and triple-digit temperatures, MLGW power outages peaked around 8,400 last week.
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Metro MLGW expects sizeable increase in power bills this summer
MLGW customers will see a 20% to 40% rate increase between July and September, which could raise bills between $30 and $60 per month.
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July 2022
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Metro Oil from ruptured pipeline barely misses Memphis Aquifer recharge zone
The recharge zone is the area where rain and river water filter through to replenish the aquifer, which provides drinking water for at least a million residents.
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Premium
MetroTennessee warns of contaminants in Mississippi River fish; Arkansas doesn’t
A 31-mile stretch of the Mississippi River is under a “do not consume” advisory because of high levels of methylmercury, chlordane and other organic contaminants in the fish, but posted warnings only exist on the Tennessee side. Arkansas has no advisories for the same stretch of the river.
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City of Memphis City attorney ready to make recommendation on energy consultant for TVA-MLGW debate
In April, the Memphis City Council authorized its attorney Allan Wade to identify potential energy consultants. He researched 21 potential candidates.
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Metro TVA seeks up to 5,000 megawatts of carbon-free energy
Critics say the request for proposals — a process that could end in TVA awarding one, multiple or zero contracts — is a noncommittal effort to expand carbon-free energy.
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Metro ‘This can’t go on': Shelby County air pollution program faces serious issues
Shelby County’s local air pollution control program has less than a year to remedy current problems or the state could step in.
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Metro Tennessee lags in Southern Alliance for Clean Energy’s solar report
The Southeast had substantial growth, according to the report, but Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi fell behind other states in the region in both installed solar capacity and watts per customer.
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Metro Environmental groups urge MLGW to invest in renewable energy
The organizations said it’s a crucial moment as MLGW’s board prepares to make a recommendation on its next electric supplier contract.
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South Memphis Community celebrates Byhalia Pipeline cancellation one year later
After the Byhalia Pipeline project was canceled on July 2, 2021, the residents who opposed it met at Alonzo Weaver Park for a celebration. A year later, they returned to the same spot to mark the occasion once again.
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August 2022
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City of Memphis Memphis faces hottest summer on record
Memphis is experiencing the hottest summer on record so far, and last month was the second hottest July in the city’s history.
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East Memphis Wildlife Services euthanizes 120 Canada Geese after Cordova subdivision complaints
The USDA euthanized 120 Canada geese at Riverwood Farms, in response to the homeowners association saying it was necessary for the protection of the community, but critics say it’s an inhumane, temporary solution to a problem that requires habitat modification.
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City of Memphis MLGW joins statewide electric vehicle fast charging network
The utility received a great that will help it upgrade its infrastructure to be part of a network of 32 fast charging units on interstates and major highways.
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South Memphis EPA is monitoring possible cancer-causing emissions in Southwest Memphis
A recent assessment of a local commercial sterilization facility shows elevated risk of long-term exposure to ethylene oxide, a chemical that is carcinogenic to humans through inhalation.
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City of Memphis Council moves to hire consultant after members clash over MLGW process
The body’s chairwoman issued a separate request for proposals — and other council members said they were oblivious to the request.
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Metro Long wait list, contractor shortage put weatherproofing program out of reach for many
An MLGW program allows some customers to make their homes more energy efficient — for free — but there’s a waiting list to get on the waiting list.
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Metro City Council hires energy consultant to aid vote if MLGW leaves TVA
If MLGW opts to enter into a contract with a new electric supplier, the board will make a recommendation to the council, at which point Tabors Caramanis Rudkevich would step in.
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Metro MLGW to reopen lobbies on Oct. 3
The Downtown, Whitehaven, Lamar and Millington offices will return to their previous capacity, but the Summer Avenue location’s lobby will remain closed as MLGW scouts a new office space.
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Metro MLGW to resume cutoffs for overdue bills
On a deferred payment plan, customers must pay at least 25% of their total outstanding balance — or whatever percentage brings their outstanding balance below $2,000.
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Metro Memphis to be part of ‘extreme heat belt’ within next 30 years
A climate study released during one of the hottest summers on record predicts a 125-degree “extreme heat belt” will stretch across a quarter of the country by 2053.
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City of Memphis MLGW to recommend future electricity supplier
At Thursday’s meeting, MLGW management will recommend whether they think the utility should continue with TVA or go with a different power provider.
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Business TVA denies reliance on MISO during grid strain
Less than 24 hours before MLGW management makes a recommendation for the utility’s next power supplier, the TVA refuted claims that it leaned on another electricity provider during some of the hottest days of the year.
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