Chattanooga, TN
A business community dedicated to both the economic and environmental health of Chattanooga.
During an evening news broadcast in 1969, Walter Cronkite announced to a national audience the most polluted city in all 50 states. A report released that January from the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) named Chattanooga, Tennessee the most heavily polluted city in the country. As a major industrial center, the city had some of the highest concentrations of particulates ever recorded; material from factory smokestacks and trains often caused smog so thick drivers were forced to flick on their headlights in broad daylight. In the four decades since, Chattanooga has relinquished its grimy throne to become a city known for its high quality of life, healthy environment, and bustling economy—a feat that would not have been possible without the leadership of a strong business community.
Air quality was an urgent matter following the release of the 1969 HEW report and Chattanoogans quickly approved the creation of the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau. Aside from the vital issue of healthy residents and environments, air pollution also posed a threat to the economic health of Chattanooga. Under the Federal Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to set ambient air quality standards for a number of air pollutants along with deadlines for county and state governments to achieve these standards. Failure to do so will result in a “non-attainment” status. Despite its mild wording, this designation can be detrimental to a region’s economic growth and prosperity. Consequences range from the payment of large fines to the withdrawal of federal highway funds and increased federal regulation. In some cases, new industries are banned from locating in non-attainment zones or must have a detailed plan for offsetting emissions, which can be a big deterrent to new development.
From Mr. Cronkite’s 1969 news segment to the present day, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has played a vital role in meeting EPA standards. The threats posed by non-attainment spurred the Chamber to join forces with the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau back in 1969, a collaboration that is still strong today. Most recently in 2002, the two organizations teamed up to submit an Early Action Compact to the EPA. This voluntary program provided a flexible approach to reducing pollution in which potential non-attainment designations that were to be given in 2004 were deferred, as long as all communities met agreed upon milestones by 2007. Through the Chamber’s work with local businesses to implement voluntary emission reduction measures, Chattanooga easily met all EPA markers by the December 31, 2007 deadline.
With the path cleared for new businesses to settle in the region, the Chattanooga Area Chamber has dedicated a great deal of effort to attracting major clean energy industries. Focused on firms involved in the manufacturing of hydroelectric power, wind energy, LNG (liquefied natural gas), hydrogen fuel cells, geothermal and other related energy sources, the Chamber recognizes that these industries not only provide jobs and a clean source of energy, but most are clean manufacturing operations that will not harm local air quality. Volkswagen AG is in the process of constructing their first US manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, which will which will produce low emission vehicles specifically for the North American market. Three leading nuclear power corporations have also recently announced major expansions in the Chattanooga area.
The efforts of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce have allowed the region to thrive economically and shine environmentally. Equipped with a dedicated business community and strong collaborations throughout the region, Chattanooga can breathe easy while continuing its tradition of industrial might.