In Cherokee County, North Carolina, a 27‑mile, single‑circuit transmission line proposed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is sparking a dispute between the federal power supplier and a local landowner. The line would run from the Appalachia Hydro Plant in Reliance, Tennessee, to a new switching station on US 74 southwest of Murphy, cutting a 100‑foot‑wide right‑of‑way through land that Robert Garland says contains Indigenous burial sites and other cultural resources.
TVA’s justification
TVA spokesperson Scott Fiedler told reporters the project is essential to meet rising electricity demand in the region. “The proposed improvements create additional capacity, reduce constraints, and increase operational flexibility,” he said. He added that Cherokee County currently relies on a single high‑voltage loop, which in 2023 failed for nearly an hour after a squirrel caused a short. “A new line and switching station relieve major constraints, allow safe maintenance windows, and significantly improve reliability and resiliency,” Fiedler explained.
TVA points to a broader trend of increased power use driven by residential growth, new data centers, industry, and the electrification of transportation. The agency notes that the North American Electric Reliability Corporation projects a 25 % rise in peak demand by 2035, the fastest growth rate since tracking began in 1995.
Garland’s concerns
Garland, a 70‑year‑old Cherokee descendant, inherited the property from his grandfather in the mid‑1940s. He recalls finding arrowheads and other artifacts while his grandfather plowed the fields. “I estimate my collection of Indigenous artifacts from this land exceeds 12,000 items,” Garland said. He also believes the property contains unmarked Indigenous burials and two marked settler graves dating to the 1830s, which are registered with the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology.
Garland argues that TVA has not completed a thorough archaeological assessment. “There has not been any kind of archaeology assessment done of this property,” he said, noting that a federal court granted TVA temporary entry in December 2025 to begin evaluating the preferred route.
Legal and procedural backdrop
Under the National Environmental Policy Act, TVA must consider the human environment before proceeding, completing either an environmental assessment or a full impact statement. The agency says it conducts field surveys, cultural‑resource evaluations, and routing analysis to avoid and minimize impacts wherever possible, and it engages directly with affected landowners, local officials, and federally recognized tribes early in the process.
Garland filed a motion in June asking the court to preserve physical evidence and halt any ground‑disturbing activities until qualified archaeologists and tribal representatives can review the site. He also requested a court‑supervised walkthrough with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Mediation between the parties concluded without an agreement, and the case is set to proceed to a jury trial if no settlement is reached.
Local impact and broader context
Cherokee County is served by three electric cooperatives—Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Murphy Electric Power Board, and Tri‑State EMC—all of which purchase power from TVA. The proposed line would provide an additional loop, reducing the risk of outages that can affect homes, businesses, and the new 104‑megawatt Core‑Scientific data center operating out of a former textile plant in Marble.
While the county’s growth and the presence of data centers underscore the need for reliable electricity, many residents, like Garland, emphasize the importance of preserving the region’s cultural heritage. The dispute highlights the tension between expanding modern infrastructure and protecting historic Indigenous sites.
What’s next?
TVA says it remains in the review process to determine a viable route that minimizes impact on property owners. The agency has met with Garland on several occasions but maintains that the line is critical for system reliability. Garland and TVA continue negotiations, with the possibility of a jury trial looming if they cannot reach a settlement.
Original reporting: Carolina Public Press — read the source article.
