Tensions between Nashville, the state government and the Boring Company escalated this week, days after tunneling began downtown.
Nashville’s Metro Council narrowly passed a resolution to symbolically oppose the Boring Company’s plans to build up to 25 miles of tunnels across town.
The company faced scrutiny last month during its first public forum for its lack of transparency, a track record for environmental and worker safety concerns, and the absence of traditional government oversight associated with major infrastructure projects.
Officials called out misleading and even inaccurate information on Tuesday night before the vote.
Councilmember Delishia Porterfield, the resolution’s sponsor, brought up comments made by Boring Company President Steve Davis in November about having widespread, “unbelievably positive” support.
“Colleagues, this is our chance to put that theory to the test,” Porterfield said.
The resolution also offered solutions for the company to build trust with the city, such as offering public briefings, releasing all geological, safety and fiscal studies for independent review, and demonstrating compliance with fair labor and contractor standards.
City government has largely been shut out of the project. The Boring Company has obtained some permits and one lease from city agencies but did not require approval from the council.
Some members expressed concern about voicing opposition to the state due to fear of retaliation.
The council’s opposition resolution may have prompted a Tennessee lawmaker to propose a bill to strip local governments of regulatory authority on “subterranean” projects, according to Councilmember Mike Cortese.
“Where do we go when our neighbors feel they can’t speak their mind, because the state government will take steps to silence or punish them?” Cortese said. “It’s becoming accepted practice in Tennessee that the state will try to take away residents’ rights and authority on local issues when they disagree.”
The resolution ultimately passed with 20 yes, 15 no and two abstention votes.
Boring Company debates surface in the state legislature
Both opposition and support reached the Tennessee State Capitol this week.
Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, also proposed a resolution to express opposition to the Boring Company’s Nashville project. A committee voted it down on Wednesday.
Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, introduced the “No Corporate Land Giveaways Act” in response to the project. It was deferred Wednesday.
Bills that support the project, however, are advancing in the legislature.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, proposed two bills in the past week that could aid the Boring Company: One bill, HB2450/SB2205, would create the “Subterranean Transportation Infrastructure Coordination Authority,” an 11-member regulatory body with a $5 million annual budget for managing permits and regulations. The only project that falls under the bill’s scope is the Boring Company’s proposed tunnel network in Nashville.
He proposed a second bill this week, HB1515/SB1673, to make “subsurface passenger transit” companies report their assets subject to property taxes to the state comptroller instead of a county assessor. Generally, infrastructure projects only need to report to the state when crossing county lines. The Boring Company’s Nashville project, however, is currently only planned within Davidson County. The bill passed a finance subcommittee Wednesday.
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