John Rich Celebrates Community Victory as TVA Halts 900 MW Gas Plant in Cheatham County

Country music artist John Rich has released his new song, "The Devil And The TVA," commemorating the successful community effort that led the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to abandon plans for a controversial 900-megawatt methane gas plant in Cheatham County, Tennessee. The song, released on August 29, 2025, highlights the "historic account of the battle" between local residents and the federal utility. The TVA announced its decision to withdraw from the Lockertsville Road site on July 15, 2025, following sustained public outcry and high-level intervention.

The proposed facility, intended to feature 14 turbines, extensive lithium battery storage, and new pipelines, sparked widespread opposition from Cheatham County residents. Community members voiced concerns over potential environmental damage, threats to public safety, clean water, and the rural character of their area. Local officials, including the Cheatham County Commission and Ashland City Council, passed resolutions formally opposing the project.

John Rich, known for his outspoken views, actively engaged in the opposition campaign, leveraging his platform to amplify the voices of affected residents. According to reports, Rich directly communicated the community's concerns to former President Donald Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, contributing to the TVA's decision to halt the project. Residents like George Wade credited this intervention, stating, "Because of the immense, unbridled power that TVA has, no one but the Lord working through John Rich, President Trump, and Secretary Rollins could do this."

The Tennessee Valley Authority, established in 1933 as part of the New Deal, has a long history of utilizing eminent domain for its infrastructure projects, displacing over 125,000 residents throughout its existence. While TVA operates as a government-owned corporation, authorized to "sue and be sued," its land acquisition practices have frequently drawn criticism for perceived lack of transparency and impact on property owners. The agency's historical actions, including the 2008 Kingston coal ash spill, have fueled public skepticism regarding its environmental stewardship and accountability.

Despite the TVA's withdrawal from Cheatham County, some legal issues persist, including active lawsuits by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company against local landowners. The future use of the land acquired by TVA for the project remains unclear. This recent development in Cheatham County underscores ongoing tensions between federal utility expansion and local community rights, echoing historical debates over the TVA's broad powers and regional impact.