Image Credit: TVA
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is steadily making progress on its replacement of the Cumberland Fossil Plant with a natural gas facility, but this transition will come at a cost as the plant just outside Clarksville is only anticipated to generate approximately half of the energy it did using coal.
Currently the facility produces almost 2,500 megawatts of power, making it more powerful than even some nuclear plants and the largest generating asset in the TVA coal fleet, but the new gas-fired plant will only supply 1,450 megawatts by the time the first coal-fired unit is retired in 2026.
The TVA reportedly plans to integrate 10,000 megawatts of solar into the system by 2035, but the second coal unit is set to be retired in 2028, years before power generation will be equal to its current rate, if that measure will be achievable at all.
The change is being touted as, “another step in transitioning to cleaner energy generation” according to the TVA as they work toward a “cleaner energy future, which means a reduced reliance on coal.”
The Cumberland Fossil Plant was ranked the No. 3 air polluter in the nation in 2016 according to Washington D.C-based environmental watchdog group Environmental Integrity Project. The ranking was based off a measurement of greenhouse gases and Toxins Release Inventory emissions, and the report also declared the plant to be the worst mercury polluter in the country among coal-fired power plants.
A 2022 report from Earthjustice alleged over 90% of coal-fired power plants in the country were not in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules regarding coal ash cleanup, supposedly leading to water contamination and heavy metals leeching into groundwater.
Memphis’ now closed Allen Fossil Plant ranked as the 10th worst contaminated site, with groundwater found to contain arsenic at 294 times “safe levels” due to improperly managed coal ash dumping.
Though coal can be safely and efficiently utilized if proper cleaning and maintenance measures are implemented, the transition to natural gas itself is not necessarily what is sparking citizen concern, but rather the potential for increased rates and less available power.
Comments on a news report about the plant’s construction garnered comments like, “Ahhh I can feel my bills getting higher by the minute,” and “Yeah and it will only make about half of the power that the coal makes. Can you say higher electric bills!!!!!”
Others disparaged the implementation of solar initiatives saying, “Hmmm… how many sun days does TN have, 210 on average… and the solar footprint will cover how many acres? And life is only about 5 years per panel…another DUMB DUMB project.”
The TVA has not issued any statements directly contradicting or addressing these concerns, but it would perhaps be in their interest to do so as public opinion has proved a powerful tool.
Recently, the TVA announced they would abandon plans for a natural gas facility in Cheatham County after extreme citizen pushback, so much so that the project drew the attention of Tennessee celebrities and appeals to the Trump administration.
The Cumberland Fossil Plant is set to be fully decommissioned by 2028 when the second coal unit is shuttered and the natural gas production is fully integrated.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
7 Responses
Natural gas produces significantly less greenhouse gas emissions compared to coal when used for energy production. Specifically, natural gas combustion emits about half the carbon dioxide (CO2) compared to coal for the same amount of energy produced. While both are fossil fuels, natural gas is generally considered a cleaner-burning option, although methane leaks during natural gas extraction and transportation still pose a problem. But like it or not, our world has no choice but to transition away from fossil fuels, and the sooner, the better.
The world does have a choice- you put pressure on your politicians to stop these scams. Fossil fuels are the only renewable source we have, with out them you will only have 2 hours of electric in the morning and 2 hours in the evening because that is all that will be available to us. Right now where I live it cost 10.4 cent per kwh of energy, That is up from 5.4 cent just 2 years ago. California is looking at 35 cents per kwh, now look at your bill and see what you use each month and multiply that. Plus, AI and all of your technology require exuberant amounts of electricity , which will make more drain on the system.
What makes you think fossil fuels are renewable? Do you think there are magic bees underground making more?
They also demolished Bull Run near us.
EPA, environmentalist are more dangerous to the environment and humans then any fossil fuel spill- here is why. Everyone yells CO2, but if you want to clean the air get rid of every major city. No more NY city,LA, and Chicago ect. they are the largest producers of waste you can find. They on average are 15- 25 degrees hotter than a suburbs or the country side. Next, trees- one acre of trees can eliminate 365 lbs of CO2 from the air- more trees equal cleaner air. Carbon is needed in our air it helps bring rain down, have you noticed snow fall and rain fall in areas where environmentalist are they have less of both. Green energy is a scam and expensive one at that- not only monetary wise, but to the environment. One acre of solar panels can create 975 degree of heat that can radiate up to one mile above, so any bird that flys within this scope is a KFC bucket. Plus, the very minerals need to create solar panels has to be stripped mined and the panels are made of petroleum products. Forget about recycling them- they won’t, too expensive so it cuts into profits, so into the landfills they go, which is awesome for the environment. The God awful windmills kill on average- one acre of those things 345 birds of prey a year- The Aviated bird watchers have been collecting all this information, and when one of those arms break they can fly a good distance- even destroy someones home or life. But hey, who cares right the object is to preserves the environment- for whom? If all the wildlife is non-exist and humans aren’t here anymore then who benefits? Oh, yeah the people getting rich in the interim right now off this scam.
Ladies and Gentlemen, just like Lyndon B Johnsons Great Society Scam, this too is more of the same. It sounds good, but 50 years from now when they are all dead our grandchildren will be left with all this mess, more poor, more toxic, and more damaged then the generation before.
Revelation 16:9
And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Blackouts coming.
Contact your federal representative, like Rep. John Rose. They should look into this.