Residents across the Tennessee Valley are coming together on Sept. 21 in Nashville for the Rally in the Valley — an all-day event to call on the Tennessee Valley Authority to stop its gas buildout and bring clean and affordable energy to the region. Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend activity in Music City or a way to connect with an energizing movement to build a better future — the Rally for the Valley is the event for you! 

Join us from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Centennial Park Bandshell to enjoy the sounds of live music, be inspired by community members leading the fight for a better valley, and dig into delicious food from food trucks! Plenty of local organizations will be present with informational tables where you can learn about their efforts to protect our air, water and environment, and keep our energy clean, affordable and reliable. There will be something fun for everyone at the Rally for the Valley.

While this event is sure to be a good time, it also serves an important purpose. The Rally for the Valley is a response to the TVA’s plans for the largest gas buildout in our country that will happen in our backyards. This massive expansion is not only a direct threat to the environment, but would also negatively impact communities across the region by increasing pollution and our power bills. 

Tennessee Valley residents who have not or will not be impacted by eminent domain or pollution will still feel the effects of this gas buildout in their wallets. The TVA’s reliance on methane has already led to a 4.5% increase on power bills last year and another 5.25% increase was approved at the TVA board meeting held on August 22. The TVA has not provided any public documentation as to why the increases were necessary. A recent article by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy states, “No other utility the size of the TVA is allowed to execute such a massive electric power rate increase with such limited public information” and the further expansion of methane gas will only cause these increases to continue. 

The mission of the Clean Up TVA coalition putting on the rally is to urge the TVA to stop its plans for the gas buildout and look to clean, affordable energy sources instead. This would have immense benefits, not only for the environment but also the economy. If TVA replaces coal with clean energy, it could create more full-time jobs. TVA indicated in the Environmental Impact Statement for the Cumberland City generation site, which employs hundreds of locals, that the methane gas plant will only provide 25-30 full-time jobs. 

By attending the Rally for the Valley, you can enjoy a day filled with fun festivities while taking a stand against the TVA for a healthier, more sustainable future. Joining this event will allow you to come together with a community of like-minded individuals who want to make a real difference for the planet and the people. 

Together, we can urge TVA to change its plans and advocate for a cleaner, greener future for the Tennessee Valley region. So, bring your friends and family, enjoy the food and free entertainment, and help support this important cause.