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Sierra Club and Allies Challenge TVA’s Expensive Gallatin Plant
Case Updates:
April 25, 2013
On April 25, Sierra Club and other conservation groups filed a legal challenge to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on the grounds that TVA violated the National Environmental Policy Act when the federal power company finalized its plan to spend more than one billion dollars to retrofit the Gallatin Fossil Plant without considering energy efficiency options or involving the public.
The Gallatin Fossil Plant is more than fifty years old and is one of the largest sources of air and water pollution in the state. If TVA’s plans move forward, the coal-fired power plant will continue to pollute for decades to come. Thousands of Tennesseans signed petitions and hundreds of Nashville area residents attended the People’s Public Hearing in February, calling on TVA to reconsider its decision.
The Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association, Tennessee Environmental Council, Sierra Club, and Center for Biological Diversity are represented by Earthjustice and Southern Environmental Law Center in the suit.
February 7, 2013
On February 7, hundreds of Nashville-area residents gathered for the People’s Public Hearing to speak out against the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) proposal to spend more than one billion dollars to keep the aging Gallatin coal-fired power plant running.
The event was organized by the Sierra Club, Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM), the Center for Biological Diversity, Tennessee Environmental Council, Southern Energy Network, and the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association, after TVA denied requests to hold an official public hearing. Students, doctors, scientists, and concerned community members all called on TVA to choose energy efficiency as the right step forward for Tennessee. Dozens of people spoke at the hearing, sharing their reasons for asking TVA to move beyond coal.
If TVA chooses to retrofit the Gallatin coal-fired power plant, the costs will be passed on to consumers. In contrast, replacing the plant with a modest, smart energy efficiency program will eventually lower costs for families.
Sierra Club lawyer Craig Segall played a key role providing legal support for this campaign effort.
Details and Documents:
Conservation Groups Challenge TVA's Expensive Decision on Gallatin Plant
April 25, 2013, Sierra Club et al. Press Release
New Poll Shows Seven in Ten TN Voters Support Cleaner Options Over TVA Old Coal Plants
February 12, 2013, Sierra Club Press Release
Hundreds Gather to Speak Out Against TVA’s Billion Dollar Pollution Plan
February 7, 2013, Sierra Club et al. Press Release
News Articles:
TVA sued over Gallatin power plant upgrades
April 25, 2013 by Duane W.Gang, The Tennessean
Sierra Club activists urge TVA to move 'beyond coal'
February 8, 2013 by Duane W. Gang, The Tennessean
More Info:
See other "Retiring Old Coal" cases.