KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Valley Authority kicked off a public comment period on February 15, related to the initial process phase for updating its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the agency’s long-term energy resource strategy.

To ensure that the full range of issues and a comprehensive portfolio of energy resources are addressed, TVA invites members of the public, customers, businesses, employees, environmental organizations and community leaders, as well as federal, state and local agencies, to comment on the scope of the IRP and the associated programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.

The public comment period will run 60 days, closing on April 16.

“We strongly believe in a transparent and public-friendly process in developing our Integrated Resource Plan because it impacts every Tennessee Valley resident we serve,” said Laura Campbell, vice president of Enterprise Planning.
“The diverse perspectives and opinions we gain make our plans stronger, so it’s important that those who want to share their thoughts with us have the opportunity to do so.”

The updated IRP will assess the previous planning direction presented in the 2015 IRP and reflect significant changes in the energy industry over the past three years, including flat to declining load growth, advances in the development of renewable and distributed energy resources, and the integration of those resources in the electric grid.
TVA anticipates the major issues to be addressed in the IRP study and the associated EIS will include the cost and reliability of energy resources, the availability and use of renewable and distributed resources, the effect of energy efficiency programs, and the relationship of costs and the economy to all of these options.

To gain greater public participation, a number of opportunities have been scheduled to learn more about the IRP process and directly interact with staff members, including:

• Feb. 21, 11 a.m. – noon EST: Webinar. Please register in advance of the meeting at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5507415649105603329.
• Feb. 27, 5:30 – 7p.m. EST: Educational open house at the Westin, 801 Pine St., Chattanooga, Tenn.
• March 5, 5:30 – 7 p.m. CST: Educational open house at Memphis Light Gas & Water’s 1st Floor Auditorium, 220 S. Main St, Memphis, Tenn. (Validated parking provided at garage across the street.)

NOTE: Those with special needs who wish to attend either open house should contact TVA at least a week in advance at 1-865-632-6113.
Written comments should be sent to Ashley Pilakowski, Tennessee Valley Authority, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D, Knoxville, TN 37902. Comments also may be submitted on the project website at http://www.tva.gov/irp, or by email at [email protected].

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving more than 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.