WASHINGTON — The Tennessee Conservation Voters met last week with several Tennessee members of Congress, urging them to consider environmentally friendly legislation that would combat global warming and encourage environmental preservation.

The group, a state chapter of the League of Conservation Voters, met in Washington with Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Reps. Lincoln Davis and Jim Cooper, both D-Tenn., as part of the larger organization’s lobbying day on Capitol Hill.

“We talked about issues as it relates to global warming, the Clean Water Act, and some issues that are unique to Tennessee, like mountaintop removal,” said Chris Ford, a member of the group. “The entire delegation we spoke with was interested in energy efficiency and how to promote that, which was encouraging to hear.”

GEORGIA URGED ON DESALINATION PLANT

Sen. Corker met last week with Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin to discuss Georgia’s water needs and suggested the state invest in a desalination plant in Savannah, Ga.

“There has been some discussion that the real way to deal with the water needs in Atlanta and other parts of Georgia was to construct a desalination facility on the coast and run the piping along one of the interstate rights-of-way,” Sen. Corker said.

Georgia, in the midst of a historic drought, has threatened to sue Tennessee over water rights to the Tennessee River, claiming an erroneous survey marked the border too far south.

“We have had a really lowlevel discussion between our states that has almost been beneath the dignity of our citizens regarding the water issue,” Sen. Corker said during a Banking Committee hearing on infrastructure that Mrs. Franklin attended.

The mayor did not return messages seeking comment.

BANKING HOT LINE BILL INTRODUCED

Sen. Corker, along with Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced the Financial Consumer Hotline Act of 2008 that would establish a toll-free telephone number for consumers to call if they have a problem with their bank.

Because banks and other deposit institutions are regulated by five federal agencies and potentially a state agency as well, people often don’t know whom to call with complaints, Sen. Corker said.

“Establishing a ... one-stop shop for questions about America’s financial institutions will enhance consumer protection and inject greater accountability in our nation’s banking system,” said the senator, a member of the Senate Banking and Finance Committee.

Sen. Lamar Alexander, RTenn., is a co-sponsor of the legislation.

“Figuring out who to get in touch with when you’ve got a problem with your bank can be very frustrating,” Sen. Alexander said. “This bill provides consumers with a common sense way to make sure they’re getting the help they need.”

The legislation directs the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act to set up the hot line and to work with state banking regulators to integrate them into the hot line service.

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