Teams Fight Powerline

By NELLANN METTEE Staff Writer
FRANKLIN — A residential developer, two environmental teams and a local historical preservation group have joined forces to fight a power line proposed by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The foes contend that TVA has failed to substantiate the need for a 161,000-volt transmission line that will send power to Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corp.'s planned Bingham community substation.
A recent report by TVA called for a power line that will cross the Harpeth River several times and string through west Franklin residential areas. The report says that route is the only option that can meet the date that power will be needed.
The Harpeth River Watershed Association has said the line will harm the river by causing erosion and sediment damage to the West and main Harpeth rivers. That impact would be lessened by an alternate route.
Meanwhile, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy contends there no proven need for the line and TVA and Middle Tennessee haven't seriously looked at alternatives like energy efficiency programs.
The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County says the route will impact important historic treasures like the Harpeth River Valley Historic District, which is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
The route will also traverses 29 historic properties, the group contends.
"It's time somebody stood up to TVA," said Tree Diffendal, vice president for public preservation for the group.
Finally, Westhaven developer Southern Land Co. is protesting how the proposed route will affect the project's golf course. The line will cross the course and disturb the Scottish links design of the course, which is intended to maintain natural elements of the property, according to the company.
Together the groups are asking TVA and Middle Tennessee to do a better job of showing need for the line and develop significant energy efficiency programs while considering alternatives to the line.
They're also asking the agencies to minimize the impact of the line by doing things like reducing river crossings, requiring higher standards for vegetation management and maintenance.
Furthermore, they're asking TVA and Middle Tennessee to engage the community and those affected by the line to determine an alternate route, if needed.
The groups — led by attorney Bryan Echols, who represents Southern Land Co. — brought their message to Franklin's Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday, and were commended for getting together to present a unified front on the issue.
They might have been preaching to the choir, though. Franklin leaders previously voiced their opposition to the route and recommended another option.
The board is expected to draft a response to the environmental assessment of the project. A public information meeting to review findings of that report is scheduled for tomorrow night from 7-9 p.m. at Franklin High School. The

assessment has been posted to TVA's Web site at www.tva.com/environment/reports/index.htm.