People’s Town Hall Monday To Raise Awareness About Proposed Pipeline

A group of citizens concerned about the proposed Enbridge natural gas pipeline is holding a people’s town hall this Monday.

The natural gas line would run through Fentress, Jackson, Overton, and Putnam Counties following along the already-established East Tennessee Natural Gas System.

Organizer Breanna Ortner said they were left unsatisfied with the information provided by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Enbridge representatives. Ortner said the main goal of the event is to raise awareness for the pipeline.

“To make sure that the citizens of Putnam County and surrounding counties that will be affected by this pipeline know that this is happening,” Ortner said. “Just so they can be aware and understand fully the impacts.”

Ortner said they have several concerns about the pipeline, particularly about its effects on natural resources. They said they are concerned about how it will affect the quality of water, both drinking water and water used for agricultural and recreational purposes.

Ortner said they also have concerns about the potential for leaks. They said thousands of major leaks have happened nationwide over the last day, including a pipeline leak that lead to an explosion in Smith County in 2018.

“This proposed plan leaves our local communities with long-term risks and the promise of temporary jobs as a consolation prize,” Ortner said. “Instead of a costly pipeline, the TVA should be investing in clean energy replacements which would bring about 20 to 30 times more jobs without threatening irreversible damage to our water table.”

Shaffer said all are welcome to attend the town hall, especially local leaders and officials. The town hall will be at Cookeville’s Hix Farm Brewery Monday at 5 p.m.