The Tennessee Valley Authority faces community backlash and legislative scrutiny over plans for a new gas power plant and its slow adoption of renewable energy.
Cheatham County residents oppose TVA's proposed gas plant, feeling it is inappropriate for the area.
Bipartisan legislation aims to increase TVA’s transparency and accountability in planning and executive pay.
Environmentalists criticize TVA for lagging behind other utilities in renewable energy adoption.
Key quote:
“Back when it was created in the 1930s, TVA was on the cutting edge of transforming a region of the country and investing in a lot of infrastructure to create that transformation. We‘re just not seeing that happen now.”
— Amanda Garcia, attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center
Why this matters:
The controversy has ignited a broader debate about the future of energy in the region, with critics arguing that the TVA is missing a crucial opportunity to invest in cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. As the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent, the call for renewable energy solutions has never been louder. Despite this, the TVA maintains that the new gas plant is essential for meeting the area's energy needs and ensuring reliable power supply.
A new gas-fired power plant would disproportionately impact Black, brown and low-income residents in Essex and Hudson Counties, officials said in a letter to Governor Murphy.
