TVA sues Cheatham County landowners as push to build new methane gas plant moves forward

CHEATHAM County, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Valley Authority is moving full steam ahead to build a new methane gas plant in Cheatham County. The TVA filed a lawsuit against two landowners in order to get access to their property. But, many more who live near the site are doing everything they can to prevent TVA from building this plant.

Western Cheatham County is beautiful countryside. Tracy O’Neill moved here two decades back for the peace and quiet.

“For me, it’s been my paradise. It’s been my sanctuary,” said O’Neill.

But in this wooded 285 acres, TVA sees an opportunity to build a new methane gas plant and transmission lines in order to create and feed the Valley’s growing energy appetite.

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Longtime residents like Tim Barnes don’t like what they are seeing.

“Big turbines they are going to have over there. It’s going to sound like an airport around here. I didn’t live out here to live next to an airport,” said Barnes.

“I’m standing about 700 meters from the first proposed turbine. And this is my front yard,” said O’Neill. “I have a 7-year-old son. I don’t really want him out here playing when we’ve got methane burning right across the road.”

The plant is not a done deal. TVA still has to go through the environmental review process. But, TVA has taken the next step suing two landowners.

TVA tells News 2 via email that the utility, “has asked the court to allow temporary access to two properties for the purpose of conducting surveys and other activities to determine what land may be needed for a transmission line.”

“It wasn’t necessarily unexpected. Because, we knew that if you resisted the TVA, that the next step would be some sort of court action,” said O’Neill.

“This has really sounded many alarms,” said Carolyn Elefant, attorney, Law Office of Carolyn Elefant.

Elefant has started working with the landowners to provide representation. She said TVA is putting the cart before the horse by trying to survey the land before the project is approved.

“Having a company come to survey your property for a project that you’re opposed to is very invasive. You don’t want to feel like you are helping the company or assisting the company in your own demise in any way,” said Elefant.

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TVA says the the new plant would power about half a million homes and replace the coal unit at the Cumberland Plant Residents feel the battle has just begun and they are up against a Goliath.

“We’re little people around here fighting a company that’s got billions of dollars to fight back. And they’re a government entity so they just do what they want,” said Barnes.

The attorney we spoke with says the court is likely to grant TVA access to survey.

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