TVA conducts environmental reviews in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their proposed projects on the human and natural environment before final decisions are made. These environmental reviews under NEPA typically also include assessments that facilitate compliance with other environmental review requirements such as those under the National Historic Preservation Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Programs, Plans and Policies
Power Generation – Coal and Gas
Power Generation – Nuclear
Power Generation – Solar and Other Renewables
Economic Development
Land, Facilities and Permitting
River System Operations
Transmission
Natural Resources Management
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
Fiscal Year 2022 First Quarter
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
On March 27, 2020, TVA published in the Federal Register a Final Rule to update TVA’s procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, after a 30-day period.
NEPA establishes the process for identifying, considering and disclosing environmental impacts of major federal actions. TVA first established its NEPA procedures in 1980 and made minor revisions in 1983. In 2016, TVA completed an internal review of its NEPA procedures and practices and identified the need to revise its procedures. TVA consulted with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and began a formal “rulemaking process” that included gathering public input. TVA published the Notice of Proposed Rule in the Federal Register on June 8, 2017.
After considering the public’s input and additional consultation with CEQ, TVA published the Final Rule in the Federal Register on March 27, 2020. The Final Rule includes TVA’s responses to public comments. The procedures became effective on April 27, 2020, and were incorporated into Title 18 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as part of Part 1318 of Chapter XIII (Tennessee Valley Authority). See 18 CFR 1318.
Much of TVA’s procedure for NEPA would remain the same. Under the updated procedure TVA would continue to:
TVA’s list of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) was updated to cover the small projects and routine work that TVA needs to do.
The updated procedures include new limitations on the amount of work that can qualify for categorical exclusion.
Also, the updated procedures more closely match the work TVA does today:
The document below titled Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) contains a Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions table that details which CEs are being eliminated, modified or added. The supporting documentation lists reasons for proposing activities for categorical exclusion. The document is meant to provide a summary of the factors relied upon during development of the proposed CEs and to describe the basis upon which each proposed CE was established.
In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the rulemaking process provides the public and interested parties with an opportunity to review the Proposed Rule and submit input to us. The steps taken by TVA in the process include:
TVA NEPA Procedures (18 CFR 1318) (PDF, 0.2 mb)
Summary of Proposed Changes to Categorical Exclusions
Categorical Exclusions Supporting Documentation (February 2020) (PDF, 2.6mb)
Federal Register Notice of Final Rule (March 27, 2020)
TVA Responses to Public Comments on Proposed Rule
Council on Environmental Quality Letter of Conformity (February 19, 2020)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule (June 8, 2017) (PDF, 0.3mb)
Federal Register Notice (July 28, 2017) (PDF, 0.2mb)
Comments Received on the Proposed Rule (PDF, 7.5mb)
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Matthew Higdon
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-8051
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902