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A Resolution recommending TVA pursue solar and storage investments in Middle Tennessee and expressing support to the Nashville Electric Service Board for calling for the same.
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WHEREAS, the Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”) has invited public comment and feedback on the evaluation of the future of its Cumberland Fossil Plant in Cumberland City, Tennessee (“Cumberland Plant”); and
WHEREAS, as part of this process, TVA has developed a draft Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) outlining three alternative paths forward for the Cumberland Plant and provides a unique opportunity for TVA to replace environmentally harmful fossil fuel with clean renewable energy; and
WHEREAS, TVA’s preferred path involves decommissioning the fossil fuel plant and retrofitting the Cumberland Plant to run off a natural gas, which would require the building of gas pipeline infrastructure to supply the plant; and
WHEREAS, one of the other alternative paths for the Cumberland Plant involves decommissioning the fossil fuel plant and replacing it with solar energy accompanied with battery storage placed in Middle Tennessee (“Alterative C”), which would connect to TVA’s existing transmission system rather than through the building of miles of gas pipeline infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, on May 25, 2022, the Electric Power Board of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville Davidson County, which provides oversight and strategic visioning of Nashville Electric Service (“NES”), TVA’s largest customer and utility distributor, adopted a resolution to show its support for Alternative C; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council recognizes the need for clean, renewable energy for Nashvillians, including the Metropolitan Government’s desire to meet ambitious goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2041, as required by Ordinance No. BL2019-1600, Nashville’s Green New Deal legislation; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council supports TVA’s development of renewable sources of energy and fuel and supports the NES Board’s recommendation that the Cumberland Plant be used to further renewable sources of energy for Nashville and Davidson County.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as supporting TVA’s development and proliferation of renewable sources of energy and fuel, particularly solar, TVA’s intentional shift of its power infrastructure away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable energy production and storage, and TVA’s efforts to manage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Council further goes on record as supporting the Electric Power Board’s recommendation that TVA further evaluate the solution for the future of the Cumberland Plant. This solution should include the resources utilized in Alternative C in conjunction with Alternative B, which involves the construction and operation of two simple cycle combustion turbine (CT) gas plants at alternate locations, as well as energy efficiency and demand response initiatives for the following reasons:
(1) Alternative C provides clean, renewable solar energy produced in Middle Tennessee;
(2) Alternative C creates economic opportunities for jobs and construction dollars associated with the new proposed solar arrays;
(3) Alterative C provides NES with more attractive resources in its toolbox to offer clean, renewable energy that keeps it competitive with other major American cities; and
(4) Alternative C prevents TVA from investing in long-term assets that leave ratepayers with high stranded asset costs if future technological innovations provide more efficient clean, renewable alternatives.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.