Given the projected need for energy over the next several years, where flat to declining demand combines with more renewable energy resources and higher load swings, TVA must continuously evaluate all generating assets to ensure portfolio flexibility and fiscal responsibility to the people of the Valley. With less need for base load resources, assets that have relatively high projected future maintenance cost and environmental compliance expenditures, high forced outage rates and poor generation portfolio fit are now the focus of more detailed study for potential retirement. The Tennessee Valley Authority’s Paradise Fossil Plant (PAF) Unit 3 falls into this category of assets.

PAF is located in Muhlenberg County in western Kentucky. It currently has one operating unit, Unit 3. Units 1 and 2 were replaced with natural gas generation in Spring 2017.

Due to the reasons stated above, TVA prepared an environmental assessment (EA) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to assess the site-specific impacts of the potential retirement of PAF Unit 3. The draft EA was released for a 30-day public comment period from November 19 – December 19, 2018. On February 11, 2019, after consideration of all comments received on the draft EA, TVA issued the final EA and Finding of No Significant Impact on the potential retirement of PAF Unit 3. 

Comprehensive analysis, including the NEPA evaluation for the potential retirement of PAF Unit 3, will be used to inform the TVA Board as TVA plans its future power supply.