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Environment

Oak Ridge scientists invent underwater X-ray machine

By Caroline Eggers

December 17, 2025

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory designed a portable device to see through metal while underwater. It’s a new invention that earned them an R&D 100 award, one of the most prestigious nods in engineering. 

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, oil spill

Boring Company president appears ‘flippant’ on Nashville’s water, geology and construction safety, official warns

By Caroline Eggers

November 26, 2025

The Boring Company president Steve Davis repeated boastful assertions about a planned tunnel system underneath Nashville for nearly two hours during a virtual town hall on Monday night. 

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Flooding, geology, karst, sinkholes, The Boring Company

Tennessee has 60 data centers. Nashville probably has more than you think.

By Caroline Eggers

November 20, 2025

Tennessee has 60 data centers, and more than a third of them are located in the greater Nashville area. 

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: data center, fossil fuels, Meta, Tennessee Valley Authority, water, xAi

Tennessee sees 8 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in first half of 2025

By Caroline Eggers

November 14, 2025

In just four months, Tennessee experienced eight disasters that caused more than $1 billion in damage. Each event was considered a “severe storm,” defined as thunderstorms that produce tornadoes, damaging winds or large hail.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News

Tennessee protected 7,400 acres of ‘river swamp.’ The public will be able to visit.

By Caroline Eggers

November 11, 2025

The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee and partners acquired 7,400 acres of bottomland hardwood forest along the Hatchie River.  

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: conservation, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the nature conservancy, wetlands

How Tennessee became home to North America’s only freshwater pearl farm

By Will Darnall, WKMS

November 10, 2025

A pile of mussels on a boat.

For thousands of years, pearls have been a prized gemstone used to craft jewelry and other adornments. But North America has just one freshwater pearl farm that cultivates the shiny objects, located at Kentucky Lake in western Tennessee.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, rural Tennessee, wildlife

Tennessee’s largest landfill violated air and water rules this year, prompting new tensions

By Caroline Eggers

November 7, 2025

Middle Point Landfill received seven violations from the state this year related to litter and liquid runoff. 

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: Composting, landfill, Middle Point landfill, Recycling, waste

TVA plans first major battery storage addition

By Caroline Eggers

November 6, 2025

The Tennessee Valley Authority plans to add ample storage to its grid by the end of the decade. 

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: fossil fuels, renewables, Tennessee Valley Authority

‘A real injustice’ — Communities call on TVA to cancel Kingston gas project

By Caroline Eggers

November 6, 2025

Residents and environmental groups rallied against Enbridge’s construction of a 122-mile methane gas pipeline that will cut through Tennessee.

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: enbridge, fossil fuels, kingston, methane, pipeline, Tennessee Valley Authority

A gas pipeline will cross 120 miles of Tennessee. Enbridge just started construction.

By Caroline Eggers

October 23, 2025

Construction began this week on a gas pipeline that will stretch more than 120 miles across Tennessee. 

Filed Under: Environment, WPLN News Tagged With: enbridge, fossil fuels, kingston, methane, pipeline, Tennessee Valley Authority

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