During the next six years, Jefferson Cocke County Utility District is looking to spend over $8 million for new gas lines and expansion projects.

The major unknown is the level of investment necessary if the gas utility is to supply natural gas to the proposed Megasite in Jefferson County near I-81. And this project infrastructure alone could cost upwards of $3 million.

Jefferson Cocke County Utility District (JCCUD) General Manager Tommy Bible and Operations Manager Danny Barding presented an overview of capital projects to the board of commissioners at the Jan. 31 meeting.

"We have no idea how much gas would be required" for the Megasite announced late last year, said Bible. The site is proposed to be on at least 1,800 acres and suitable for a large automotive manufacturer.

For more details, please see the Tuesday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.