NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A new methane plant is proposed in Cheatham County, but cutting methane might actually slow warming.
The map above shows the proposed area where the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is planning a new methane gas plant in Cheatham County.
The proposed plans for the methane gas plant include a new 12-mile gas pipeline near homes in Cheatham County.
The methane gas plant would be built on the 280 acres the TVA purchased for $1.4 million in 2020.
The land is located just south of Lockertsville Road, north of Ashland City.
The TVA also plans to build a methane gas-burning unit on site, which would require a 32-mile pipeline stretching through Stewart, Houston, and Dickson counties.
Previous reporting on this proposed plant garnered lots of concern on how this proposed plant would impact the environment especially in West Middle Tennessee.
Methane is considered a greenhouse gas as it traps heat in the atmosphere. It has 80 times the warming power of CO2 over a 20-year period but breaks down in the atmosphere quicker than CO2.
Climate Central says rapidly cutting methane emissions could help slow warming tremendously in the near term.
Methane is a primary component of natural gas. It is colorless, odorless and flammable, which is why it is primarily used to make heat and light. It is widely used.
The sources of methane in Tennessee can vary a bit, but the majority of emissions come from agriculture, waste and energy generation.
Believe it or not, most of the methane emitted comes from ruminant meat and dairy. Ruminants are animals with multi-chambered stomachs (cows, goats, etc...). Their digestive processes result in methane belches.
With close to 1 million cattle across the state of Tennessee in 2023, we’re seeing a large part of methane come from our agriculture industry.
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.