Proposed North Alabama gas district called a ‘generational’ project

SCOTTSBORO — A “generational” natural gas project crossing three jurisdictions is being proposed to help meet the region’s power demands for the next 15 to 20 years.

The first step to the project was taken last week with Huntsville’s approval to form a North Alabama Public Energy District with the cities of Scottsboro and Athens.

“This is the very first step,” said Joe Gehrdes of Huntsville Utilities. “The three jurisdictions will get together to see if building a pipe is feasible.”

The district will help provide natural gas as the area continues to grow in population and economically. Huntsville is the largest city in the state while Limestone County, with Athens as the county seat, is the fastest-growing county in Alabama.

Scottsboro, meanwhile, is at the end of the line, literally, for natural gas.

The planning began about three years ago, said Gehrdes, to address the growth and “Scottsboro’s delicate situation of supply.”

“Mayor (Jim) McCamy has been a driver behind this,” he said.

“It’s incredibly important for us,” said McCamy. “This impacts current and future growth, as well as power demand.”

McCamy said when recruiting potential companies, one of the first questions the city is asked is about resources and “if we can’t supply those resources – gas, electricity – they’ll go somewhere else.”

Because of being at the end of the gas transmission line, McCamy said customers can face supply cuts – similar to electric brownouts – when demand is high.

“Particularly during cold weather,” he said. “They may have to curtail services to industries, including the hospital.”

Gehrdes said the idea for the district was born out of conversations with congressional and state delegations.

“All the legislative reps said ‘you need a plan,'” he said. “The cooperative district is provided in state law.”

McCamy said the legislative support “is a huge plus” and the project also has the backing of local officials. “The Scottsboro City Council, Jackson County Commission, Athens City Council and Limestone County Commission are all on board.”

Gehrdes said this is the time to get the project moving.

“It’s a generational project that will meet demand for the next 15-20 years,” he said. “The climate for getting something done is favorable right now.”