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
Starkville and East Mississippi Area Power Improvement Project Draft Environmental Assessment
Kemper, Noxubee and Winston Counties, Mississippi
On December 19, 2024, TVA issued a draft environmental assessment (EA) for its proposed transmission improvements to provide power to the Starkville and East Mississippi areas by constructing, operating, and maintaining two separate 161-kV transmission lines. TVA’s Midway-South Macon and South Macon-Dekalb 161-kV transmission lines will result in about 52.2 miles of new transmission lines in Kemper, Noxubee and Winston counties. TVA will purchase easements that provide the necessary rights to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed transmission line routes. TVA will acquire approximately 268 acres of new ROW easements and utilize an additional 363 acres of existing ROW. TVA will also install new fiber-optic ground wire on the transmission lines to facilitate communications with the TVA network.
The project will provide additional power sources into the Starkville and East Mississippi areas to alleviate loading concerns and support load growth and economic development in these areas by adding necessary power capacity.
The draft EA evaluated the anticipated environmental impacts of the construction and operation of the new transmission lines.
Public Involvement
Comments may be submitted online, via email to [email protected], or by mail to the contact below. To be considered, comments must be submitted or postmarked no later than January 20, 2025. Please note that any comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the project administrative record and will be available for public inspection.
Related Documents
Draft Environmental Assessment
Contact
More information on this environmental review can be obtained from:
Kelly Baxter
NEPA Specialist
[email protected]
400 W. Summit Hill Drive, WT 11B
Knoxville, TN 37902