Tennessee

Tennessee does not have a comprehensive climate plan, nor has it seen a significant renewable power generation. Nuclear power dominates the state’s electricity generation, followed by natural gas and coal. Hydroelectric power accounts for most of Tennessee’s renewable energy. The Tennessee Valley Authority, a federally owned corporation established during the Great Depression, owns an overwhelming majority of the state’s generation capacity. Although Tennessee has not taken wide-ranging steps to respond to climate threats through adaptation and resilience measures, it faces a variety of risks such as flooding, droughts, wildfires and higher temperatures. With Republicans in control of state government, ambitious climate change action will not likely be a priority in the near term. At the same time, however, some cities in Tennessee have announced aggressive climate goals and sustainability agendas. For instance, Knoxville looks to cut GHG emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050, while the Memphis area has an action plan to reduce emissions by 71 percent by 2050.

SHORT-TERM OUTLOOK THROUGH 2025 – TENNESSEE

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