Press Mention Chattanooga Times Free Press December 30, 2024
SACE Quoted
Power battle: TVA, Jackson Energy Authority oppose new solar cooperative
In this mention
The Jackson Sustainability Cooperative proposes a $67 million solar farm and battery storage hub to serve manufacturers in West Tennessee, but TVA and the Jackson Energy Authority oppose the project, claiming it violates state law and threatens their integrated power model. Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, criticizes TVA's opposition to the renewable energy project, calling it devastating and arguing that such distributed solar and microgrid systems represent the future of power generation. The dispute is before the Tennessee Public Utilities Commission, which must decide whether to authorize the cooperative and grant it an exemption from regulations barring independent power distribution within TVA's service territory.
To me, it is devastating and makes no sense that TVA and the incumbent utility entities are opposing this sustainability cooperative which plans to come in and provide clean, renewable energy, storage and a microgrid that actually supports lowering the energy costs for industry in the Jackson area
Stephen A. Smith
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