GALLATIN, Tenn.­­ — The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking for public input on various options for closure of several coal ash storage areas at the Gallatin Fossil Plant in Sumner County, Tennessee.

As part of the National Environmental Policy Act, TVA is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate the potential environmental effects of several options at Gallatin to include, but not limited to, closure by removal, closure in place, and beneficial use. TVA will also consider a combination of closure methods.

TVA is asking the public to provide input on what options should be included in the EIS for the future of the ash and other coal combustion residuals at Gallatin. A public scoping period runs through Jan. 11, 2019.

Specifically, the EIS will examine closure of three ash ponds and a non-registered site, which has not accepted ash since the 1970’s. TVA will also consider removal of CCR from onsite stilling ponds and from the bottom ash pond at Gallatin. Currently, a majority of new CCR produced at Gallatin is stored dry in a permitted onsite landfill. Once construction of a new bottom ash dewatering facility is complete in 2020, the plant will complete the transition from wet to dry handling of all CCR.

The EIS will also consider a No Action Alternative, whereby TVA assumes it would not close any of the surface impoundments at Gallatin. This alternative is included to provide a baseline for potential environmental impacts.

Comments on the scope of the draft EIS may be submitted online at www.tva.com/nepa, emailed to [email protected], or mailed to Ashley Farless, NEPA Compliance Specialist, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market Street, BR4A-C, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

To be considered, comments must be received no later than Jan. 11, 2019. 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.

The Gallatin Fossil Plant is located on the north bank of the Cumberland River and has four coal-fired units with a summer net generating capacity of 976 megawatts.  

For more information about TVA and its 85-year mission of service to the Tennessee Valley, click here.