Tennessee Valley Authority cancels plans for Cheatham County power plant

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has announced it will not proceed with plans to build a methane power plant in Cheatham County, following strong opposition from the community. The decision comes after more than two years of pushback from local residents and officials, which FOX 17 News has been following since it began.

The proposed project included a 900-megawatt methane power plant with 14 turbines, acres of lithium battery storage, and extensive transmission lines and pipelines that would have run under protected waterways. The site was planned to be located amid neighborhoods, schools, and farmland, which sparked significant concern among community members.

Cheatham County Mayor Kerry McCarver credited country music star John Rich for playing a pivotal role in the opposition. “It’s just been two years of a lot of local people, a lot of grassroots efforts to get the word out and the message out, and then things really started to turn obviously, when John Rich got involved,” said McCarver.

RELATED COVERAGE: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture joins opposition to Cheatham County methane plant

Rich reportedly contacted President Donald Trump, who assured him that he would address the issue. In recent weeks, Rich has been active on social media, sharing stories of Cheatham residents on his ‘X’ account to rally support against the plant.

The TVA is now evaluating alternative sites at a nearby industrial park and other locations in Middle Tennessee.

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