The City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution asking TVA to "cut as few trees as possible" along its transmission lines within the city, but a TVA official indicated the current tree-cutting operation will not change.
Jason Regg said TVA is cutting all trees that it believes will grow to a height above 15 feet within its transmission lines.
He said the lines have a tendency to sag and to sway under certain conditions. He showed where a house in Alabama had burned down after a high-voltage line came in contact with a tree.
A Spring Valley citizen told the council that TVA has allowed certain trees for generations that it is suddenly cutting.
He said, "They will tell you it's not a new policy, but it is."