TVA to Update Environmental Impacts Evaluation for Nuclear Unit at Bellefonte Site

August 7, 2009

TVA is preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to update existing information about the potential environmental impacts associated with its proposal to operate a single nuclear unit at the Bellefonte Nuclear Plant site in Hollywood, Alabama.

“As the Valley grows, TVA intends to meet the demand for power with a combination of conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and additional base load generation,” says TVA Senior Vice President of Nuclear Generation Development and Construction Ashok Bhatnagar. “Operating a nuclear unit at Bellefonte would allow TVA to put existing assets to work for the benefit of the residents of the Tennessee Valley.”

The Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement will evaluate three alternatives – completing and operating one of the partially completed units, constructing and operating a new Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear unit, and taking no action to operate a nuclear unit at the site.

“TVA forecasts additional base load generation will be needed in the 2017 to 2020 time frame,” says Bhatnagar. “Using nuclear generation to meet this need will help move TVA toward its goal of having at least 50 percent of its generation portfolio consist of low- or zero-carbon-emitting sources by the year 2020.”

Although no decision to add generating capacity at the Bellefonte site has been made, Bhatnagar says that TVA is committed to providing cleaner and still affordable and reliable electricity. He adds that this evaluation will compare the environmental impacts of completing an existing unit to those of building a new unit and help TVA’s board of directors decide which power generating alternative is best suited as the next unit at the site.

TVA encourages members of the public to participate in the environmental review process and has posted information relevant to this proposal on the web at www.tva.gov/blnp. TVA will invite members of the public to review and comment on the draft SEIS later this year. Following review of public comments, TVA expects to finalize the SEIS in 2010.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 9 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

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Terry Johnson, Chattanooga, (423) 751-6875
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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