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NEPA at TVA

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires TVA and other federal agencies to consider the impacts of its actions on the human environment before making decisions. The NEPA process is intended to help agency officials make better decisions that protect, restore and enhance the human environment. TVA’s NEPA procedures outline how TVA conducts these environmental reviews and are established in the Code of Federal Regulations at 18 CFR 1318.

In January 2026, TVA updated its NEPA procedures by publishing an Interim Final Rule in the Federal Register. The updated procedures address recent legislative amendments to NEPA, relevant Supreme Court precedent, and executive actions. Prior to this, TVA’s procedures had been updated in 1983 and 2020. Click here for more information on TVA’s 2026 update to its NEPA procedures.

TVA conducts three types of reviews under NEPA

  1. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared for major federal actions that have the potential for significant environmental impacts or public controversy.
  2. An Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared if the action does not qualify for a categorical exclusion. TVA often prepares and EA to describe anticipated environmental impacts. If the impacts are determined to be insignificant, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is issued. If impacts are determined to be significant, TVA may prepare an EIS or dismiss the action.
  3. Categorical Exclusions (CEs) are categories of actions that do not normally have a significant impact on the environment and for which no unusual or exceptional circumstances exist. Neither an EA or an EIS is required for these actions. These categories of actions are listed in TVA's NEPA Procedures.

The TVA NEPA Program provides information about ongoing activities and makes EA and EIS documents available to the public at tva.gov/nepa. 

Please direct comments or questions to:

Dawn Booker
Senior Manager,
NEPA Compliance
Tennessee Valley Authority
1101 Market Street, BR2CA
Chattanooga, TN 37402
423-751-8494
[email protected]