Stewart County, Tenn.–TVA issued a statement following today’s evacuation of the area around the Cumberland natural gas plant construction site in Stewart County. The area has since been cleared after being searched by TVA police and local law enforcement.
TVA officials said, “On Tuesday morning, a written threat was found on the grounds of the Cumberland natural gas plant construction site in northwest Tennessee. Out of an abundance of caution, an evacuation of the area was ordered while TVA Police and local law enforcement investigate.”
They said further this has not been confirmed to be a valid threat. They are following standard protocols and procedures for the investigation.
According to the TVA:
The largest indoor 500 kV gas-insulated substation in the United States is now energized at our new Cumberland Combined Cycle Power Plant in Middle Tennessee.
The enclosed substation houses critical electrical switching equipment indoors, protecting it from extreme weather and temperatures. It is designed to route large amounts of electricity from the existing coal plant and the soon-to-be-completed combined-cycle natural gas plant across long distances, delivering reliable electricity across our growing region.
Our team, along with construction partner Kiewit Corporation, will begin testing the new natural gas power plant this spring and summer. Once complete, the project will generate 1,450 megawatts of electricity, strengthening American energy dominance and powering more than 800,000 homes
TVA photo.