Month: July 2022

Caution Needed by Fentress County School Board over Electric Buses

by Anne Beckett

This article is in response to the June 22 article in Fentress Times, “Electric Dreams and Harsh Realities.”

The article did a good job of assessing a potential benefit of electric vehicle buses for Fentress County schools. However, new studies bring to light other serious issues to consider. 

Electric vehicles (EVs) are still arriving upon the scene, and the demanding conversion from gas powered vehicles imposed upon us by the current federal administration is questionable as it creates additional demand on our already overburdened, and primarily fossil-fueled, electric grid, among other reasons.

This article will address research that indicates electric vehicles are not better for the environment and have more quality issues than gas-powered ones.

The current administration is in a push to convert the U.S. to electric vehicles.  However, only 20% of our energy needs are “renewable”, such as wind turbine. That means we are currently 80% dependent upon so called “fossil fuels” such as gasoline, coal, natural gas. Therefore, the comparison between electric and gas powered vehicles is really a comparison between burning gasoline or using a mix of coal and natural gas to produce electricity for an electric vehicle.

A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that EVs are worse for the environment than gas-powered ones.  EVs are not emissions-free:  charging an EV increases electricity demand — which is mostly provided by coal plants.  (Viva la coal!)  If the current administration’s plan is for EVs to reduce reliance on what is termed fossil fuels it is based on false pretenses and is going to fail miserably.

The argument over environment issues cannot be made if coal is the most used source to produce electricity. So where is the benefit? 

However, there are worse and bigger issues against electric vehicles.

J.D. Powers produces an annual “U.S. Initial Quality Study,” and has for the last 36 years. In their most recent study they compared the number of quality issues among electric, hybrids and gas-powered vehicles.  Per 100 vehicles (PP100), electric had 240 quality issues PP100, hybrids had 239 PP100 and gas had 175 PP100 quality issues.  Some of the issues are due to technical complexity which increases the likelihood of problems.  EVs are meant to “transform us in the era of the smart cars,” according to the article. So they are loaded with technologies like Bluetooth, touchscreen, and apps including remote door locks and battery charge. 

While gadget lovers may have fun with new ‘toys,’ most Americans prefer to use traditional gas vehicles because of “charging logistics, driving distance and maintenance costs.”  (Speaking of maintenance, owners of the 2014 Ford Focus will  have inoperable vehicles if and when the battery needs replacement: the cost would be $11,000, but batteries are no longer available.) 

Batteries for electric vehicles continue to be a problem. First, batteries are very expensive and not reusable. When they die, disposal in a landfill is problematic, as lithium batteries aren’t stable. They can cause fires that sometimes smolder for years. Toxic fumes are released, which not only are dangerous to breathe but can contribute to global warming. This defeats the original purpose of the EV.

Electric vehicles also contribute to the “greenhouse” effect they are supposed to be helping. This starts with the mining process. The process of mining the raw materials for the batteries releases CO2 emissions. Then these raw materials must be refined before they can be used in batteries; this causes more emissions.

The batteries for EVs require graphite. And there many problems with that.  China is the biggest producer of lithium-ion batteries and their precursor materials, especially graphite. So in effect, America is supporting an industry dominated and controlled by a hostile foreign power.  The “plan” to convert to EVs will enrich the Chinese Community party at the expense of the environment and U.S. Taxpayers.

A hybrid auto battery uses 22 pounds of graphite;  EVs demand 110 pounds of graphite.   Graphite production produces significant pollution.  China had to shut down production in their city of greatest graphite output.  Graphite dust is toxic whether inhaled or leached into the water supply. Worse, hydrochloric acid is used to process mined graphite into a usable form. Hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive and damaging to ALL forms of life.

In its 2022 report, the U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey reports that in 2021, over 70 percent of the global cobalt production came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The problem, according to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, is that dust from cobalt mines often contains toxic metals such as uranium, and these mines may contain sulfur minerals that can generate sulfuric acid. When exposed to air or water, sulfuric acid can lead to acid mine drainage, polluting rivers and drinking water for hundreds of years. And, up to 40,000 children are estimated to be working in these mines under slave labor conditions.

Further, reports around the nation about vehicles bursting into flame should bring great concerns.  These are potentially due to the lithium-ion batteries.  More time is needed to determine if this is going to be a regular occurrence.

Electric vehicles may be more a part of a socialistic utopian dream than scientific reality.  Based on current research and experience, it may be a better idea to exercise patience as well as caution before jumping onboard with electric buses.  Further, it is never good to own the first of anything new. Wait until all the bugs are known, and a track record has been established. No matter how good it looks financially for now, even with “free” grant money, the “hidden charges” could bring buyers’ remorse with no recourse.

References for this article:

https://thefederalist.com/2022/07/11/studies-show-the-electric-vehicles-democrats-insist-you-buy-are-worse-for-the-environment-and-lower-quality/

https://www.theepochtimes.com/electric-vehicles-have-embarrassing-number-of-quality-issues-compared-to-combustion-engines-2022-study_4569221.html

https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2022-us-initial-quality-study-iqs

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/electric-car-battery-replacement-costs-more-than-car/ (This link was used for the quote on American’s preferring gas powered cars. It has since been removed.)

https://energycentral.com/c/ec/can-you-make-wind-turbine-without-fossil-fuels

https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w21291/w21291.pdf

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/07/electric-bus-burst-flames-east-coast-heatwave-one-day-connecticut-gov-requires-future-state-vehicles-run-electric-power/

https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/electric-vehicles-trading-one-form-of-hazardous-mining-for-another_4623801.html

https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/electric-vehicles-not-a-deal-for-you-or-the-environment_4619981.html

Dr. Beth Meyers Talks About SEL

Dr. Beth Meyers from Tennessee Liberty Network spoke about SEL- Social Emotional Learning on July 21, 2022 at a Town Hall at the Fentress County courthouse. SEL is bringing a new focus on how students feel about their selves and issues and presented data on how this program works, and what impact it is having on education. Sponsored by Tennessee Action Group.

AJ DePriest Speaks on ESSR Federal Funds

AJ DePriest from Tennessee Liberty Network presented her group’s research on  ESSR (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) federal funds on July 21, 2022 at a Town Hall at the Fentress County courthouse. Fentress County schools have received many millions in ESSR funding, some of which is tied to federal compliance standards.

She spoke about how this program works, and what impact it has on education. Sponsored by Tennessee Action Group.

Watch Video of Sheriff Town Hall

Great turnout at the Fentress County Sheriff’s Town Hall July 8 at the courthouse, sponsored by TAG. All four candidates answered questions and shared their backgrounds and qualifications. Pictured left to right are Rodney Insco, Michael “Bigfoot” Reagon, Max Goodpaster and Gary “Goose” Ledbetter. WDEB live-streamed the event. You can watch the video below.

Danger Of National Heritage Act To Tennessee Sovereignty

June 30, 2022  
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

The American Policy Center (https://americanpolicy.org/), a grassroots non-profit dedicated to fighting for American Property Rights and Sovereignty, is sounding the alarm about a bipartisan bill that has been introduced in the U.S. Congress that would eliminate citizen input on the establishment of National Heritage Areas.  The entire state of Tennessee appears to have been targeted should this bill be allowed to pass.

National Heritage Areas (NHAs) are promoted simply as a means to honor historic or cultural events around the nation. Promoters promise that this will preserve our culture and honor our past as they preserve battlefields where our forefathers fought and died for freedom. And that they will preserve the birthplaces, home, buildings, and hallowed grounds for posterity.

In addition, proponents of NHAs promise that it will help to build a flourishing tourist industry to help local economies.

However, the President of the American Policy Center, Tom DeWeese says that none of that is true.

“My years of dealing with NHAs have shown me that they are simply a ruse to get conservatives to support federal land grabs,” DeWeese said.

DeWeese states that conservatives would never support efforts by radical environmental groups or national organizations like the American Planning Association to enforce policies that would lock away land or dictate how it’s used.

When an NHA is put into place, major tax dollars are distributed through the National Park Service. These funds are supposed to be used for the establishment of the Heritage Area but DeWeese claims that the funds are not all used for that purpose.

“The Park Service gives much of that funding to private, non-governmental groups (NGOs) to use for their private agendas. Many of these groups are the same radical environmental groups that you and I fight every day.  And there is no accounting on how these groups spend that NHA money!,” DeWeese said.

DeWeese alleges that the NHA money goes into non-governmental agency’s pockets, but it is not spent for historic preservation.

“These groups use the funds to promote and pressure local city councils to impose Sustainable Development policies, lock away use of land and water, create conservation easements, build wind and solar farms, and all of the usual government dictates taking over every community,” DeWeese said.

A new bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate called the National Heritage Area Act (S.1942)( https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1942) that will drastically change how a National Heritage Area is created.

Until now, the establishment of a NHA required action by a member of Congress to propose a new NHA but S.1942 will eliminate that, and instead, give that power to the Secretary of the Interior that can then simply designate new NHAs.

“If this is allowed to happen, then the entire process would basically take place in the back rooms of government,” DeWeese said.

The Secretary of the Interior is an appointed position, with the person holding the position not being elected by voters.  Therefore, decisions made by the individual are those of a non-elected official.

DeWeese reports that The American Policy Center has successfully stopped three NHAs and they are one of the only organizations to ever testify against them in congressional hearings.

The American Policy Center is asking that all concerned Americans sign their petition against the National Heritage Act (S.1942) to help “end the stealth threat of NHAs once and for all.”

The petition reads as follows:

SIGN THE PETITION

PETITION TO STOP THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT S.1942

National Heritage Areas (NHA) are NOT programs to honor our history or cultural events.

*Almost ALL historic birth places, buildings, and hallowed ground have already been preserved.

*There is NO evidence that NHAs have ever successfully promoted tourism.

*NHAs do NOT protect private property.

Instead – NHAs place a federal boundary around entire counties, towns and private homes, leaving them vulnerable to Park Service rules. It is not possible to “opt out” of a federal boundary!

In addition, NHAs provide federal tax dollars to powerful environmental groups, planning associations, and other private, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote their private agendas without federal oversight and accountability. This is why they are so dangerous.

NOW – the National Heritage Area Act (S.1942) will drastically change how an NHA is created. Rather than being introduced and approved by Congress, NHAs will now be decided by the Secretary of Interior, with powerful influence from the very NGOs which stand to benefit most from the designation.

THIS MAJOR CHANGE ELIMINATES CITIZEN INPUT!

Therefore, S.1942 is a DIRECT THREAT to property owners, local governments, and state sovereignty.

For these reasons, I, the undersigned American Citizen urge you to vote NO on the National Heritage Areas Act (S.1942).

The petition to stop the Act can be signed here.

Statewide Experts will Speak on ESSR School Funding and Social Emotional Learning in Jamestown on July 21st

Two speakers will present on issues affecting K-12 schools over ESSR (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) federal funds and SEL- Social Emotional Learning. The presentations will be held at 6 p.m. at the Historic County Courthouse on Main Street on July 21. Attendance is free and open to the public.

Fentress County schools have received many millions in ESSR funding.  What are the requirements?   SEL is bringing a new focus on how students feel about their selves and issues.  How are these two programs connected, and what impact can they have on education?

A.J. DePriest will speak on ESSR funds. She is a founding members of TN Liberty Network. TN Liberty Network is an independent, covert think tank that has no public membership and does not accept donations or funding.  TN Liberty Network’s 30 members have been instrumental in supplying state lawmakers and other policy leaders across America actionable research and intel on issues ranging from Covid mandates and hospital protocols, illegal immigration, election integrity, and government-run education.

Ms. DePriest appeared upon the national media landscape in January of 2022 with the release of their research on federal funds for ESSR and how that will affect the schools concerning covid policy now and in the future.   Their research also showed how the federal government is funding hospitals for covid patients. Specifically, the federal government is funding hospitals in TN $135,000 per person with covid, more for each procedure (respirator and remdesivir) and a bonus upon death.  That research is available to the public. 

Dr. Beth Meyers will speak on SEL, social emotional learning, in schools. SEL aims at addressing students K-12 to ensure “developmentally appropriate, culturally competent, and evidence-based universal practices focused on:  (1) self-awareness;  (2) self-management;  (3) social awareness;  (4) relationship skills; and  (5) responsible decision making. However,  opponents to SEL warn against the “extremely sensitive nature of evaluating children’s social-emotional makeup and having inadequately trained personnel implementing plans designed to alter students’ psyches.”

Dr. Meyers is a retired National Board Certified teacher with twenty years’ classroom experience, and is an independent research consultant and education advocate. She has spent thirty years in education, twenty of which were as a public-school teacher and in-service developer/facilitator. She has worked with numerous legislators on educational issues and helped draft a data transparency bill that was signed into Louisiana law in 2014. She is a strong advocate of Classical education and parental rights.

Dr. Meyers holds a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education; a Master’s in Educational Technology; and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. She received her doctorate from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she was awarded the Preston B. Allison Outstanding Dissertation Award for her research on the effects of political culture on education policy. For more information on Beth, visit https://bethmeyersforschoolboard.com.

This presentation will be taped by WDEB radio.  It is also sponsored and funded by Tennessee Action Group of Fentress County, TAG.  TAG is a group of Fentress county residents who want to use collective action on the local grassroots level to educate our community on issues that support the protection of citizen life, liberty and property in Fentress County and the state of Tennessee. Follow us on Facebook (Tennessee Action Group, TAG) or visit our website at: www.tennactiongroup.org.

 

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