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TDEC warns committee against curbing agency authority to limit water withdrawals; bill fails
Summary
Sen. Bolling’s bill to restrict TDEC’s ability to limit water withdrawals drew opposition from the agency, which warned it would harm downstream water supplies and aquatic life; the committee rejected the measure (2 ayes, 5 nos, 2 passes).
Sen. Bolling introduced SB 1750 to limit TDEC’s authority to restrict public‑utility water withdrawals except where federal law requires it and to require written notice and an appeals route for utilities. He said the measure protects reliable drinking-water access and gives utilities due process if the state restricts withdrawals.
TDEC legislative director Ali Williamson testified the bill would favor upstream drinking‑water withdrawals at the expense of downstream users and could reduce pollutant dilution, harm aquatic life during droughts, and create conflicts with existing state water‑quality law. "TDEC has serious concerns about Senate bill 17 50 and the impact it has on water availability in Tennessee," Williamson told the committee.
Debate emphasized the tradeoff between protecting utility reliability and preserving downstream water quality and habitat; the committee recorded 2 ayes, 5 nos and 2 passes, and the bill did not advance.
