TVA fights proposed solar cooperative in West Tennessee

JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Valley Authority claims a new solar power cooperative in West Tennessee is illegal, while supporters of the project accuse TVA of trying to maintain a monopoly.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that the Jackson Sustainability Cooperative is asking the Tennessee Public Utilities Commission to either grant it a certificate to operate or an exemption from regulations that bar independent power distribution within TVA’s service territory.

The company is promising to deliver clean and cheap power with a $67 million solar farm and battery storage hub.

But TVA officials say allowing the new company to cherry-pick customers would hurt TVA’s ability to provide affordable, reliable energy.

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