Rocky Hill Fire Department Looks To Acquire Old Gas Plant Property

All is quiet at the former location of the Rocky Hill Gas Plant.

Darren Doyle, story and photos
The Edmonson County fiscal court turned down an offer from Atmos Energy today to acquire the 14 acre tract where the old Rocky Hill gas plant was located. Judge Cannon said the property had been offered free of charge to the county for whatever purposes in which the county saw fit.

Cannon said the property was too large for the county to develop and maintain at the present time, but that Rocky Hill was in desperate need of a location for a new fire station. Cannon said that the Rocky Hill Fire Department has offered to accept the property and maintain it. 

Back in December, Charles English, attorney for Atmos Energy said Atmos wanted to work with the community with regards to the property. "We want to work out something that's beneficial to the residents of the community up there," English said from an earlier interview. "It would be a nice donation on the part of Atmos, to show their good will."

Rocky Hill Gas Plant, May 2015. (EV file photo)

Same property March 14, 2016.

Rocky Hill Fire Chief Trenton Sowders said the current fire station was built sometime around 1978. It was big enough at the time, but many several things have changed over the years. He also said that because of the tight squeeze, newer drivers have trouble getting the trucks in and out of the firehouse.

Several options are still being discussed, but ultimately, it's up to Atmos Energy. The acquisition of the property could turn a project that was despised by the residents of Rocky Hill into a wonderful asset to the entire community.