What’s going on with TVA?

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the electric utility that services Tennessee and parts of surrounding states, has planned eight gas plants in the past few years, which would mean 160 miles of pipeline for Tennessee.

Residents, elected officials, and climate activists have concerns about what the use of fossil fuels will mean for the state, especially as scientists say we should be phasing out our fossil fuel consumption. Today, we’ll hear from reporters about their perspective on the TVA Board of Directors, which oversees the utility, and what the fossil fuel expansion will mean for Tennesseans. We’ll also speak with two organizers who believe TVA could be doing a better job of protecting the environment while still providing electricity. 

Later, we’ll talk with the Black Nashville Assembly to learn more about what measures they want to see to ensure safety for young people in our city.

This episode was produced by Elizabeth Burton and Khalil Ekulona.

This Is Nashville was unable to coordinate a representative from TVA to appear on today’s show. 

Guests:

• Jamie Satterfield, investigative journalist
• Caroline Eggers, Environmental Equity Reporter, WPLN
• JT Neal, organizer for Sunrise Movement Nashville
• Tracy O’Neill, organizer with Preserve Cheatham County and Clean Up TVA 
• Erica Perry, Black Nashville Assembly

Further listening

• Last week, the TVA held two meetings on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville and there was a stark contrast between the two events — and what the public asked the board to do versus what the board did. For more, you can read the latest WPLN coverage, Executive salaries, fossil fuel opposition and transparency: Understanding TVA’s meetings in Nashville this week.
• In July 2021, WPLN reported that the inspector general of the TVA disclosed in a report that coal plant workers have not been adequately guarded against potentially dangerous exposures.
• For years, coal ash cleanup workers in Roane County sought damages for cancer deaths, respiratory diseases and other ailments. You can listen to our coverage of the lawsuit from May 2022: Kingston coal ash cleanup workers still seek damages more than 13 years after spill.