Tennessee Valley Authority Seeks Input on Study for Closing Coal Ash Storage Sites

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is seeking public input on the scope of its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address the disposal of ash and other coal combustion residuals (CCRs) at its coal plants.

CCRs are byproducts from the burning of coal or its emissions, such as fly ash, bottom ash and other materials. The purpose of the EIS is to help TVA comply with the CCR Rule issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in April 2015. It will consider the impacts of two primary closure methods: closure-in-place and closure-by-removal. It will also consider the site-specific impacts of closing 11 of TVA’s impoundments within three years.

Public comment is invited on the scope of the EIS, including the alternatives and the environmental resources that need to be considered. Comments may be submitted online, e-mailed or mailed to Ashley Farless, NEPA project manager, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market St. BR4A, Chattanooga, TN 37402.

Comments must be received no later than close of business Sept. 30, 2015. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the project’s administrative record and will be available for public inspection.

The TVA is a corporate agency of the U.S. that provides electricity for business customers and local power distributors 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.

Source: Tennessee Valley Authority