TDEC to hold a public hearing regarding application for modified water permit associated with proposed Cumberland pipeline project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2024

CONTACT
Angie Mummaw, Middle Tennessee Organizer, (931) 436-8210, angie.mummaw@appvoices.org
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, (540) 798-6683, dan@appvoices.org

TDEC to hold a public hearing regarding application for modified water permit associated with proposed Cumberland pipeline project after proposing to abdicate state authority under Clean Water Act.

Dickson, Tenn. — This week, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will hold an informational session and public hearing concerning the proposed Cumberland Gas Pipeline Project. The meetings will focus on additional stream alterations that were left out of the original application submitted last year by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company.

This is an opportunity for community members to express their concerns to TDEC, the state agency with authority to issue an amended Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit authorizing additional impacts to our Tennessee waterways. Unlike the original permit issued for this pipeline, TDEC inexplicably proposes to waive its authority under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to certify that these impacts will comply with state water quality standards.

TDEC is proposing to authorize the following additional alterations:
Temporary impacts to an additional 604 linear feet of stream
Permanent impacts to 20 linear feet of stream

These impacts are in addition to those authorized under the Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit and Clean Water Act section 401 certification that TDEC issued in July of 2023 associated with the construction of the proposed 32-mile, 30-inch diameter methane gas pipeline

The Tennessee Valley Authority recently made the decision to replace one of the coal-fired units at the Cumberland Fossil Plant with a methane gas-burning plant. However, that decision is being legally challenged. Also of note, TVA cannot operate a gas plant without a pipeline, and separate permits need to be obtained by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company before any pipeline construction could begin.

Middle Tennessee’s waterways provide clean drinking water to nearby communities, are destinations for anglers and paddlers, and create crucial habitats for rare species. People living close to the pipeline route have expressed concerns that the disturbances to these streams will hurt their biodiversity and water quality. They also worry that the harms will not be “temporary,” as Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company claims.

Public comments will be accepted at the hearing and following the hearing. Those who cannot attend but would like to comment, can submit written comments through March 31, 2024. These should be sent to the attention of the permit writer at claire.wainwright@tn.gov or to the following address: Division of Water Resources William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11th Floor Nashville, Tennessee 37243

This is the public’s opportunity to speak up and let TDEC know how this alteration of Tennessee’s waters may affect them.

Location: Dickson County Government Building
303 Henslee Drive
Dickson, TN 37055
Date: March 21, 2024
Informational Session: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

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For more information: https://appvoices.org/cumberlandplant/

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