Kingston Fossil Plant Landfill Expansion

On August 14, 2019, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) issued a final supplemental environmental assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) for the proposed expansion of the boundary for the on-site landfill at Kinston Fossil Plant (KIF), near Harriman, Tennessee. The proposed expansion would include additional acreage for a new laydown area, stormwater management, new clay soil borrow sites and the development of haul roads. The proposed action is needed so TVA can adequately and effectively construct the second phase of the landfill.

In 2006, TVA completed the Flue Gas Desulfurization System at Kingston Environmental Assessment (EA) and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the installation of flue gas scrubber equipment to reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from the stack. The byproduct of the scrubber, gypsum, required the construction of a new landfill disposal facility. An on-site landfill location was chosen at the southern end of the KIF property. TVA completed the Kingston Dry Fly Ash Conversion EA in 2010 and the Kingston Fossil Plant Bottom Ash Dewatering Facility EA in 2015 to analyze the material that would be disposed of in the landfill (dry fly ash, bottom ash and gypsum).

The landfill was designed for two phases. Phase 1 was constructed in 2015 and is approaching its full capacity. Phase 2 is needed to support the continued operation of KIF. The 2006, 2010 and 2015 EAs did not analyze any laydown area or borrow area to support the construction of Phase 2 of the landfill.

TVA held a review period on a draft supplemental EA of the proposed expansion of the landfill boundary between February 14, 2018 and March 15, 2018. After the public comment period, design constraints were identified which resulted in increasing project project’s boundaries. Specifically, the limits were adjusted under the transmission lines and an additional haul road option was proposed which would allow for sufficient width for two articulating dump truck to pass. Additionally, the limits were adjusted in two locations to ensure for sufficient room for stormwater management and a portion of the proposed lay down area was also be analyzed for possible borrow material. After the draft EA was revised to capture the changes, TVA released the amended draft supplemental EA for public review between April 5, 2019 and April 19, 2019.