TVA Seeks Public Comments on Scoping for Proposed Generation Projects

KNOXVILLE, Tenn..­­ – The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking for public input on the scopes of three environmental reviews, which are the first steps in considering potential environmental impacts of a number of projects that would support a cleaner energy future, while maintaining affordability, reliability and resiliency.

Solar and Battery Storage

• Comments must be received by June 20, 2023.  Information on how to submit comments is available at: tva.com/nepa.

TVA is working to build an energy system powered by cleaner, more flexible energy, and solar and storage will play a big role. TVA has a strategic goal to add 10,000 megawatts of solar by 2035. To facilitate that goal, TVA is developing new guidance to help review solar energy and battery storage projects that could be built on private and TVA-owned land in our service area.

TVA is preparing a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to help develop new guidance and a bounding analysis, including recommended environmental practices and mitigation measures, that would be part of the decision-making processes.

Public comment is invited concerning the scope of the PEIS, alternatives being considered, and environmental issues that should be addressed as a part of this PEIS.

To ensure consideration, comments on the scope and environmental issues must be postmarked, emailed, or submitted online no later than June 20, 2023.

Pumped Storage Hydro 

• Virtual Public Meeting on June 22, 2023, 6 p.m. CST. More information is available at tva.com/nepa.
• Comments must be received by July 5, 2023. Information about how to submit comments is available at tva.com/PSH.

TVA is also studying various technologies to store energy, including pumped storage hydroelectricity.

TVA will need long-duration energy storage – like pumped storage hydropower (PSH) – to meet energy demand as more intermittent renewable energy sources are added to the grid. TVA is developing a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to increase pumped storage hydropower capacity within its power service area.

The PEIS will evaluate the potential environmental and economic impacts of several options which include expanding the existing pumped storage facility at Raccoon Mountain or constructing a new pumped storage facility at one of two locations in Jackson County, Alabama.

Public comment is invited concerning the scope of the PEIS, alternatives being considered, and environmental issues that should be addressed as a part of this PEIS.

Comments must be submitted no later than Wednesday, July 5, 2023, for consideration.

More information, and details on the virtual public meeting, are available at tva.com/nepa.

Cheatham County Generation Site 

• Comments must be received by June 27, 2023.
• Public In-Person Open House at the Cheatham County David McCullough Community Center on June 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time. More details on how to submit comments and on the open house can be found at tva.com/nepa.

At the same time, TVA is considering the construction of a new natural gas combustion turbine plant and battery energy storage system in Cheatham County, Tennessee.

TVA intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of the energy complex on 286 acres of TVA-owned land northwest of Nashville, Tennessee.

The Cheatham County Generation Site would generate approximately 900 Megawatts and replace generation capacity for a portion of the Cumberland Fossil Plant second unit retirement planned by the end of 2028.

The addition of the proposed 400-megawatt battery storage system could also help TVA maintain grid stability and reliability as intermittent renewable generation is added to the system.

The proposed complex would also include an approximately 13-acre Pollinator Habitat along Sycamore Creek. Related actions, such as the construction of a 12-mile natural gas pipeline lateral and off-site transmission lines, will also be assessed in this EIS.

TVA is inviting public comments on the scope of the EIS, alternatives being considered, and environmental issues that should be addressed as a part of this EIS. Comments may be submitted no later than June 27, 2023.

More details on how to submit comments and on the open house can be found at tva.com/nepa.