Latest news with #CheathamCounty
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal utility backs off Tennessee gas plant site after John Rich says he enlisted Trump's help
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The nation's largest public utility says it is looking at other sites for a new natural gas power plant after its preferred location in Tennessee drew heavy public scrutiny, including from country musician John Rich. The Tennessee Valley Authority announced Tuesday that the Cheatham County site is no longer its preferred one. Rich, a conservative supporter of President Donald Trump who has Cheatham County roots, has been a key opponent of TVA's 900-megawatt plant in the county. He said he enlisted Donald Trump to team up on the issue. A TVA spokesperson declined to comment about Rich's comments, including whether Trump was involved. A White House spokesperson also declined to comment. The community has raised concerns about the potential impact on water quality, air quality, noise pollution, safety, property rights and more, in a rural area that also has homes and schools nearby. Clean energy and environmental groups have also led resistance to the proposal. Rich said Trump and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins 'joined forces with me and all the residents of Cheatham County.' 'They pulled out under threat,' Rich said about TVA in a social media post Tuesday. "They pulled out because they're afraid President Trump is going to fire every member on that board.' Based on feedback, the federal utility says it is considering a site at a nearby industrial park and other Middle Tennessee locations. Additionally, it floated options such as working with the Trump administration to extend the use of some fossil fuel plants. The utility has been planning to retire the last of its coal-fired plants by 2035. But Trump has signed executive orders aimed at boosting the coal industry. Power from the proposed Cheatham plant was intended to replace some of the electricity from the second unit of the coal-fired Cumberland Fossil Plant, which had been planned for retirement in 2028 but is now among the coal units being evaluated for potentially longer life. The site that sparked opposition includes the power plant and a battery storage system on 286 acres in Cheatham County, in addition to a 12-mile natural gas pipeline and up to 45 miles of transmission lines to the project. Rich last week posted a map showing many areas of farmland around the preferred area, saying it 'CANNOT happen.' Rollins, the agriculture secretary, replied, 'ON IT' and 'Standby.' Rich additionally has called for a 'complete revamping' of TVA, saying, 'Cheatham County ain't the only place they're doing this.' Any final decision on the plant would need to await the installation of more TVA board members. Trump recently announced four nominees for the board, which for months has not had enough members to take many actions because Trump fired some of former President Joe Biden's picks. TVA provides power to more than 10 million people across seven southern states. The board normally has nine members and requires five to make a quorum. It currently has three. Trump's picks would not be seated until the U.S. Senate confirms them. Clean energy advocates applauded TVA's decision to back off the Cheatham County location, but said it should instead invest more in clean energy options and heed the concern of communities where similar gas plants are proposed in Cumberland City, Kingston and Memphis. 'Instead of simply shifting those harmful impacts to another area, TVA should scrap its plans for a new gas plant altogether and invest in clean and cost-effective power options, like solar power and battery storage,' said Trey Bussey, a staff attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
17-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Federal utility backs off Tennessee gas plant site after John Rich says he enlisted Trump's help
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The nation's largest public utility says it is looking at other sites for a new natural gas power plant after its preferred location in Tennessee drew heavy public scrutiny, including from country musician John Rich. The Tennessee Valley Authority announced Tuesday that the Cheatham County site is no longer its preferred one. Rich, a conservative supporter of President Donald Trump who has Cheatham County roots, has been a key opponent of TVA's 900-megawatt plant in the county. He said he enlisted Trump to team up on the issue. A TVA spokesperson declined to comment about Rich's comments, including whether Trump was involved. A White House spokesperson also declined to comment. The community has raised concerns about the potential impact on water quality, air quality, noise pollution, safety, property rights and more, in a rural area that also has homes and schools nearby. Clean energy and environmental groups have also led resistance to the proposal. Rich said Trump and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins 'joined forces with me and all the residents of Cheatham County.' 'They pulled out under threat,' Rich said about TVA in a social media post Tuesday. 'They pulled out because they're afraid President Trump is going to fire every member on that board.' Based on feedback, the federal utility says it is considering a site at a nearby industrial park and other Middle Tennessee locations. Additionally, it floated options such as working with the Trump administration to extend the use of some fossil fuel plants. The utility has been planning to retire the last of its coal-fired plants by 2035. But Trump has signed executive orders aimed at boosting the coal industry . Power from the proposed Cheatham plant was intended to replace some of the electricity from the second unit of the coal-fired Cumberland Fossil Plant , which had been planned for retirement in 2028 but is now among the coal units being evaluated for potentially longer life. The site that sparked opposition includes the power plant and a battery storage system on 286 acres in Cheatham County, in addition to a 12-mile natural gas pipeline and up to 45 miles of transmission lines to the project. Rich last week posted a map showing many areas of farmland around the preferred area, saying it 'CANNOT happen.' Rollins, the agriculture secretary, replied, 'ON IT' and 'Standby.' Rich additionally has called for a 'complete revamping' of TVA, saying, 'Cheatham County ain't the only place they're doing this.' Any final decision on the plant would need to await the installation of more TVA board members. Trump recently announced four nominees for the board, which for months has not had enough members to take many actions because Trump fired some of former President Joe Biden's picks. TVA provides power to more than 10 million people across seven southern states. The board normally has nine members and requires five to make a quorum. It currently has three. Trump's picks would not be seated until the U.S. Senate confirms them. Clean energy advocates applauded TVA's decision to back off the Cheatham County location, but said it should instead invest more in clean energy options and heed the concern of communities where similar gas plants are proposed in Cumberland City, Kingston and Memphis. 'Instead of simply shifting those harmful impacts to another area, TVA should scrap its plans for a new gas plant altogether and invest in clean and cost-effective power options, like solar power and battery storage,' said Trey Bussey, a staff attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal utility backs off Tennessee gas plant site after John Rich says he enlisted Trump's help
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The nation's largest public utility says it is looking at other sites for a new natural gas power plant after its preferred location in Tennessee drew heavy public scrutiny, including from country musician John Rich. The Tennessee Valley Authority announced Tuesday that the Cheatham County site is no longer its preferred one. Rich, a conservative supporter of President Donald Trump who has Cheatham County roots, has been a key opponent of TVA's 900-megawatt plant in the county. He said he enlisted Trump to 'team up' on the issue. A TVA spokesperson declined to comment about Rich's comments, including whether Trump was involved. A White House spokesperson also declined to comment. The community has raised concerns about the potential impact on water quality, air quality, noise pollution, safety, property rights and more, in a rural area that also has homes and schools nearby. Clean energy and environmental groups have also led resistance to the proposal. Rich said Trump and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins 'joined forces with me and all the residents of Cheatham County.' 'They pulled out under threat,' Rich said in a social media post Tuesday. "They pulled out because they're afraid President Trump is going to fire every member of that board.' Based on feedback, the federal utility says it is considering a site at a nearby industrial park and other Middle Tennessee locations. Additionally, it floated options such as working with the Trump administration to extend the use of some fossil fuel plants. The utility has been planning to retire the last of its coal-fired plants by 2035. But Trump has signed executive orders aimed at boosting the coal industry. Power from the proposed Cheatham plant was intended to replace some of the electricity from the second unit of the coal-fired Cumberland Fossil Plant, which had been planned for retirement in 2028 but is now among the coal units being evaluated for potentially longer life. The site that sparked opposition includes the power plant and a battery storage system on 286 acres in Cheatham County, in addition to a 12-mile natural gas pipeline and up to 45 miles of transmission lines to the project. Rich last week posted a map showing many areas of farmland around the preferred area, saying it 'CANNOT happen.' Rollins, the agriculture secretary, replied, 'ON IT' and 'Standby.' Rich additionally has called for a 'complete revamping' of TVA, saying, 'Cheatham County ain't the only place they're doing this.' Any final decision on the plant would need to await more TVA board members. Trump recently announced four nominees for the board, which for months has not had enough members to take many actions because Trump fired some of former President Joe Biden's picks. TVA provides power to more than 10 million people across seven southern states. The board normally has nine members and requires five to make a quorum. It currently has three. Trump's picks would not be seated until the U.S. Senate confirms them. Clean energy advocates applauded TVA's decision to back off the Cheatham County location, but said it should instead invest more in clean energy options and heed the concern of communities where similar gas plants are proposed in Cumberland City, Kingston and Memphis. 'Instead of simply shifting those harmful impacts to another area, TVA should scrap its plans for a new gas plant altogether and invest in clean and cost-effective power options, like solar power and battery storage,' said Trey Bussey, a staff attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. Jonathan Mattise, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Federal utility backs off Tennessee gas plant site after John Rich says he enlisted Trump's help
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The nation's largest public utility says it is looking at other sites for a new natural gas power plant after its preferred location in Tennessee drew heavy public scrutiny, including from country musician John Rich. The Tennessee Valley Authority announced Tuesday that the Cheatham County site is no longer its preferred one. Rich, a conservative supporter of President Donald Trump who has Cheatham County roots, has been a key opponent of TVA's 900-megawatt plant in the county. He said he enlisted Trump to 'team up' on the issue. A TVA spokesperson declined to comment about Rich's comments, including whether Trump was involved. A White House spokesperson also declined to comment. The community has raised concerns about the potential impact on water quality, air quality, noise pollution, safety, property rights and more, in a rural area that also has homes and schools nearby. Clean energy and environmental groups have also led resistance to the proposal. Rich said Trump and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins 'joined forces with me and all the residents of Cheatham County.' 'They pulled out under threat,' Rich said in a social media post Tuesday. 'They pulled out because they're afraid President Trump is going to fire every member of that board.' Based on feedback, the federal utility says it is considering a site at a nearby industrial park and other Middle Tennessee locations. Additionally, it floated options such as working with the Trump administration to extend the use of some fossil fuel plants. The utility has been planning to retire the last of its coal-fired plants by 2035. But Trump has signed executive orders aimed at boosting the coal industry. Power from the proposed Cheatham plant was intended to replace some of the electricity from the second unit of the coal-fired Cumberland Fossil Plant, which had been planned for retirement in 2028 but is now among the coal units being evaluated for potentially longer life. The site that sparked opposition includes the power plant and a battery storage system on 286 acres in Cheatham County, in addition to a 12-mile natural gas pipeline and up to 45 miles of transmission lines to the project. Rich last week posted a map showing many areas of farmland around the preferred area, saying it 'CANNOT happen.' Rollins, the agriculture secretary, replied, 'ON IT' and 'Standby.' Rich additionally has called for a 'complete revamping' of TVA, saying, 'Cheatham County ain't the only place they're doing this.' Any final decision on the plant would need to await more TVA board members. Trump recently announced four nominees for the board, which for months has not had enough members to take many actions because Trump fired some of former President Joe Biden's picks. TVA provides power to more than 10 million people across seven southern states. The board normally has nine members and requires five to make a quorum. It currently has three. Trump's picks would not be seated until the U.S. Senate confirms them. Clean energy advocates applauded TVA's decision to back off the Cheatham County location, but said it should instead invest more in clean energy options and heed the concern of communities where similar gas plants are proposed in Cumberland City, Kingston and Memphis. 'Instead of simply shifting those harmful impacts to another area, TVA should scrap its plans for a new gas plant altogether and invest in clean and cost-effective power options, like solar power and battery storage,' said Trey Bussey, a staff attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
113 Dogs Were Rescued from a Tennessee 'Puppy Mill' amid Deplorable Living Conditions: ‘Stuff of Nightmares'
More than 100 dogs were rescued from a home in Tennessee on Wednesday, July 9 Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a local animal rescue organization, stated that the home was being used as a "puppy mill" and that the animals were severely neglected The ARC has since rescued 113 dogs from the site and is currently administering medical care to the animalsMore than 100 dogs were rescued from a "puppy mill" in Tennessee, according to authorities and a local animal rescue. The Cheatham County Sheriff's Office said it was assisting Cheatham County Animal Control with a suspected case of animal cruelty at a home in Joelton on Wednesday, July 9, per a press release issued by the office. 'Upon arrival, several dogs were found in poor living conditions,' authorities said, adding that animals are now being cared for by animal control and the Animal Rescue Corps (ARC). According to Michael Cunningham, ARC's director of administration, the floor of the home was covered in so much urine and feces that it rose to nearly a foot up the walls in every room, per local news outlet WKRN. In a statement on its website, ARC said that its team dubbed the mission 'Operation Breaking Point.' The surviving dogs include Maltese, Havanese, Yorkies and other 'designer' mixes, per ARC. Many of the dogs showed signs of untreated infections, parasites, dehydration and matting, along with parvo exposure. There were also a number of vulnerable newborn puppies onsite. Any dogs deemed to be in critical condition were rushed from the property to an emergency veterinarian hospital. All the other dogs were transported for recovery at ARC's Rescue Center outside Gallatin, per the statement. 'These dogs have spent their lives being bred, bought, sold and treated like nothing more than commodities. But each one of the 100-plus dogs rescued today is an individual deserving love, care and a bright future,' ARC stated. The organization also said that in addition to ensuring 'the safe extraction of every single dog,' they also planned to 'document' the cruelty for future prosecution. In a follow-up statement on Friday, June 10, ARC said that 113 dogs in total had been rescued and that the animals were currently getting 'well-deserved sleep on clean, cozy beds.' ARC also shared that two of the dogs had since given birth to puppies. 'The true face of the puppy mill industry is the stuff of nightmares. Thanks to everyone sharing their story, donating, volunteering and always choosing rescue and adoption,' the organization added. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. It is unclear if any person or people have been charged in connection with the incident at this time. PEOPLE reached out to the Cheatham County Sheriff's Office for comment on Friday, July 11, but did not receive an immediate response. If you would like to donate to help the Animal Rescue Corps continue to provide vital support to the animals rescued during Operation Breaking Point, you can do so here. Read the original article on People
