Tennessee Utility Company Used Taxpayer Money To Hire Lobbyists For Pipeline Project Approval That Will Cost Locals Millions

Image: Duck River Watershed Image Credit: Tennessee Duck River Agency

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Columbia Power and Water Systems (CPWS) in Maury County, Tennessee, used $360,000 of taxpayer money to hire lobbyists to seek approval from the state for a pipeline project that will cost locals $520 million.

Degges Consulting Services was hired to assist the utility company in “developing and implementing strategies to identify initiatives that support its goal as a high quality public utility providing power, water, and broadband services.”

In doing so, Degges agreed to assist in “working with the Tennessee General Assembly to identify and secure necessary approvals and funding resources” as well as in “working with Tennessee state government through the Executive Branch including the Governor’s staff and state agencies” for approvals and funding, and in “the identification of potential state and federal grant and funding opportunities.”

Degges was hired to represent CPWS before the Tennessee General Assembly and other State agencies as needed, including the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNDEC), and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).

For these services, beginning in January of last year, Degges was paid $15,000 per month plus related expenses and will continue to receive these monthly payments for a total of  two years ending in December 31st, 2026. 

One of the lobbyists, Paul Degges, was formerly the Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

The project which will siphon 32 million gallons per day out of the Duck River and raise utility rates on drinking water a whopping 150 percent has been fiercely opposed by locals.

With the project approved, CPWS has already served letters to private property owners threatening to take their property through eminent domain should they refuse to sell their land for the planned 17-mile long pipeline.

The 150 percent water rate increase will be rolled out in 20 percent increments over five years beginning next month. The Columbia City Council also voted to increase CPWS impact fees for new customers.

Jason Gilliam, Maury County Water Board Member, called the vote “one of the most detrimental and short-sited decisions the Columbia City Council has ever made.”

According to Gillam, not only are Maury County citizens on the hook for $520 million, but also for $900 million in interest payments, the terms of which will extend out to 2066.

Opponents of the project have asserted that less expensive options exist to solve the region’s water problems.

Sources:

https://twitter.com/i/status/2023435692576297451

https://tennesseeconservativenews.com/?s=duck+river

https://tennesseeconservativenews.com/?s=pipeline

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.