Stay informed and engaged.
The Tennessee Valley Authority was created to serve the people of the region. Members of the public are vital partners in addressing the region’s energy needs, protecting the environment and enhancing economic opportunities for everyone. From board and council meetings to environmental reviews and long-range planning, we need your voice and your ideas.
Learn how you can engage with TVA on the issues that matter to you.
Join a committee
Advisory Councils
The TVA Board of Directors established two independent advisory councils: the Regional Energy Resource Council and the Regional Resource Stewardship Council. Both councils provide an opportunity for the public to offer input on environmental stewardship and energy needs, with meetings and listening sessions held throughout the year.
Board of Directors
The TVA Board of Directors meets quarterly at locations across the region. Meetings are open to the public and streamed live on TVA.com. A listening session takes place the afternoon before each scheduled meeting. Individuals who would like to speak at the listening session must register in advance. Sign-ups begin approximately one week prior to scheduled meetings.
Environmental Reviews
TVA follows the National Environmental Policy Act when evaluating potential projects and actions. This law requires TVA to consider the effect of a project on the environment before making a final decision. These reviews also consider how projects, plans or policies impact endangered species and historic places or artifacts.
More about environmental reviewsIntegrated Resource Plan
The 2025 Integrated Resource Plan is a comprehensive plan that will guide TVA’s energy system through 2050, with scenarios that evaluate future electricity demand and strategies to provide affordable, reliable, resilient and clean energy to meet that demand. A major key to success is public engagement throughout the process.
Land Action
TVA manages 293,000 acres of public land and must carefully balance the public's needs with agency goals. Land requests, such as construction of private docks or commercial development on TVA reservoirs, are governed by the National Environmental Policy Act. This act requires TVA to consider a project's impact on the environment and cultural or historical resources.
More about land actionsTransmission
TVA manages more than 16,400 miles of transmission lines connecting generating plants to local power companies. TVA ensures that equipment is in good condition and that rights of way are kept clear of plants and trees that could cause power outages or damage. New transmission lines help deliver power where and when it's needed.
Projects Open for Public Comment
As TVA considers proposed projects or actions, it offers the public the opportunity to provide input. TVA is committed to working with stakeholders to address concerns during various stages of a project. Comments received during a project comment period are used in reaching a decision. Public comments may be given during a public meeting or submitted through the appropriate project website. The following projects are open for public comment:
Environmental Reviews
Hillsboro Solar Project
Lawrence County, Alabama
January 2025
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental effects of constructing, operating, and maintaining a proposed 200-megawatt solar facility in Wheeler, AL along US-20/US-72 Alternate between Courtland and Hillsboro, AL. The Solar Facility would be constructed and operated by Hillsboro Solar, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Urban Grid. In addition to the No Action Alternative, TVA will evaluate the Action Alternative of purchasing power from the proposed Hillsboro Solar Project.
The proposed solar development would occupy approximately 1,610 acres of the 3,779-acre Project Study Area. An additional 50 acres is being planned as a species-rich native plant meadow. Required upgrades to the transmission interconnect are described in the draft EIS.
Customer demand for cleaner energy prompted TVA to release the 2022 Carbon-Free Request for Proposal (RFP) for renewable energy resources. The Hillsboro Solar PPA resulting from this RFP will help TVA meet immediate needs for additional renewable generating capacity in response to customer demands and fulfill the renewable energy goals established TVA’s 2019 IRP. The Proposed Action would provide cost-effective renewable energy consistent with the IRP and TVA goals.
Public Involvement
October 2023 – TVA published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement. The public scoping period closed on October 2, 2023. TVA received comments from two federal agencies and four private individuals which were considered in the draft EIS and are available in Appendix B of the Hillsboro Solar Scoping Report.
January 2025 – TVA invites you to comment on the draft EIS. Comments must be received or postmarked no later than March 3, 2025. Electronic comment submittals are preferred. Any comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and will be available for public inspection. You can submit comments here.
Project Schedule
(Dates are subject to change. Unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)
| Public Comment Period – Draft EIS | January 17, 2025 - March 3, 2025 |
| Final EIS | June 2025 |
| Record of Decision | July 2025 |
Related Documents
Hillsboro Solar Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Hillsboro Solar Project Notice of Intent
Hillsboro Solar Scoping Report
Contact
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Elizabeth Smith
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
865-632-3053
400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11B
Knoxville, TN 37902
