Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement-Clinch River Nuclear Site Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology Park, 8476-8478 [2021-02144]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 / Notices
to assemble a report on current
screening and vetting procedures,
information sharing practices, and
recommendations to improve these
activities, to include an evaluation of
the usefulness of the DS–5535. The
Department is aware of these
requirements, and is committed to
evaluating and improving the utility of
the DS–5535 accordingly.
Methodology
Department of State consular officers
at visa-adjudicating posts worldwide
will ask the additional questions to
resolve an applicant’s identity or to vet
for terrorism, national security-related,
or other visa ineligibilities when the
consular officer determines that the
circumstances of a visa applicant, a
review of a visa application, or
responses in a visa interview indicate a
need for greater scrutiny. The additional
questions may be sent electronically to
the applicant or be presented orally or
in writing at the time of the interview.
Julie M. Stufft,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau
of Consular Affairs, Department of State.
categories of material restricted from
import into the United States, and
related information can be found at the
Cultural Heritage Center website: https://
culturalheritage.state.gov.
Allison R. Davis,
Executive Director CPAC, Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department
of State.
[FR Doc. 2021–02369 Filed 2–4–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 11346]
Notice of Receipt of Request From the
Government of the Republic of Albania
Under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO
Convention on the Means of
Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit
Import, Export and Transfer of
Ownership of Cultural Property
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Department of State.
Notice.
Notice of receipt of request
from Albania for cultural property
protection.
SUMMARY:
[FR Doc. 2021–02413 Filed 2–4–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–06–P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 11347]
Proposal To Extend and Amend
Cultural Property Agreement Between
the United States and Egypt
Department of State.
Public notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Proposal to extend and amend
the Memorandum of Understanding
Concerning the Imposition of Import
Restrictions on Categories of
Archaeological Material of the Arab
Republic of Egypt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Catherine Foster, Cultural Heritage
Center, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs: 202–632–6301;
culprop@state.gov; include ‘‘Egypt’’ in
the subject line.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to the authority vested in the Assistant
Secretary of State for Educational and
Cultural Affairs, and pursuant to 19
U.S.C. 2602(f)(1), an extension and
amendment of the Memorandum of
Understanding Concerning the
Imposition of Import Restrictions on
Categories of Archaeological Material of
the Arab Republic of Egypt is hereby
proposed.
A copy of the Memorandum of
Understanding, the Designated List of
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SUMMARY:
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Chelsea Freeland, Cultural Heritage
Center, Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs: 202–632–6301;
culprop@state.gov; include ‘‘Albania’’ in
the subject line.
The
Government of the Republic of Albania
made a request to the Government of the
United States on November 9, 2020,
under Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO
Convention on the Means of Prohibiting
and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export
and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural
Property. Albania’s request seeks U.S.
import restrictions on archaeological
and ethnological material representing
Albania’s cultural patrimony. Pursuant
to the authority vested in the Assistant
Secretary of State for Educational and
Cultural Affairs, and pursuant to 19
U.S.C. 2602(f)(1), notification of the
request is hereby published. A public
summary of Albania’s request and
information about U.S. implementation
of the 1970 UNESCO Convention will be
available at the Cultural Heritage Center
website: https://
culturalheritage.state.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Allison R. Davis,
Executive Director CPAC, Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department
of State.
[FR Doc. 2021–02368 Filed 2–4–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–05–P
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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement—Clinch River Nuclear Site
Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology
Park
Tennessee Valley Authority.
Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA) intends to prepare a
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement (PEIS) to address the
potential environmental effects
associated with the construction,
operation, and decommissioning of an
advanced nuclear reactor technology
park at the Clinch River Nuclear (CRN)
Site in Oak Ridge, Roane County,
Tennessee. The park would contain one
or more advanced nuclear reactors with
a cumulative electrical output not to
exceed 800 megawatts electric (MWe).
TVA plans to evaluate a variety of
alternatives including a no-action
alternative. Public comments are invited
to identify other potential alternatives,
information, and analysis relevant to the
proposed action.
DATES: The public scoping period begins
with the publication of this Notice in
the Federal Register and comments on
the scope of the PEIS must be received
or postmarked by March 19, 2021. To
accommodate social distancing
guidelines and public health
recommendations related to the COVID–
19 pandemic, TVA will host a virtual
open house on March 1, 2021 from
6:00–8:00 p.m. EST. Visit https://
www.tva.com/nepa to obtain more
information.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be
submitted in writing to J. Taylor Cates,
NEPA Specialist, 1101 Market Street, BR
2C–C, Chattanooga, TN 37402.
Comments may also be submitted online
at: https://www.tva.com/nepa or by
email to nepa@tva.gov. Due to COVID–
19 teleworking restrictions, electronic
submission of comments is encouraged
to ensure timely review and
consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Other related questions should be sent
to Tennessee Valley Authority, J. Taylor
Cates, NEPA Specialist, 1101 Market
Street, BR 2C–C, Chattanooga, TN,
37402, 423–751–2732, or jtcates@
tva.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice is provided in accordance with
the Council on Environmental Quality’s
(CEQ) regulations for implementing the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) at 40 CFR parts 1500–1508 and
Section 106 of the National Historic
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 / Notices
Preservation Act (NHPA), and its
implementing regulations (36 CFR part
800). The PEIS will be prepared
consistent with the 2020 CEQ
regulations for implementing NEPA at
40 CFR parts 1500–1508 (85 FR 43304–
43376, Jul. 16, 2020).
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES
TVA Power System
TVA is a corporate agency and
instrumentality of the United States
created by and existing pursuant to the
TVA Act of 1933 (16 U.S.C. part 831),
to, among other things, foster the social
and economic welfare of the people of
the Tennessee Valley region and
promote the proper use and
conservation of the Valley’s natural
resources. TVA generates and
distributes electricity for business
customers and local power distributors,
serving more than 10 million people in
parts of seven southeastern states. TVA
is fully self-financed without Federal
appropriations and funds operations
through electricity sales and power
system bond financing. 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.
Dependable electrical capacity on the
TVA power system is about 33,000
MWe. TVA’s current generating assets
include one pumped-storage facility,
one diesel generator site, three nuclear
plants, five coal plants, nine combustion
turbine plants, eight combined cycle
plants, 14 solar energy sites, 29
hydroelectric dams, and several small
renewable generating facilities. A
portion of delivered power is obtained
through long-term power purchase
agreements. About 13 percent of TVA’s
annual generation is from hydro; 14
percent is from coal; 27 percent is from
natural gas; 41 percent is from nuclear;
and the remainder is from wind, solar,
and energy efficiency programs. TVA
transmits electricity from these facilities
over almost 16,000 miles of
transmission lines. Like other utility
systems, TVA has power interchange
agreements with utilities surrounding
the Tennessee Valley region, and buys
and sells power on an economic basis
almost daily.
Background
The CRN Site is in Oak Ridge, Roane
County, Tennessee, on 935 acres of
TVA-managed land on the Clinch River
arm of the Watts Bar Reservoir. The site
is located adjacent to the U.S.
Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak
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Ridge Reservation, a roughly 33,500 acre
reservation with defense, research, and
environmental cleanup missions.
In May 2016, TVA submitted an
application to the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) for an Early Site
Permit (ESP) at the CRN Site for two or
more new nuclear power units
demonstrating Small Modular Reactors
(SMR) technology with a total combined
nuclear generating capacity not to
exceed 800 MWe. SMRs provide the
benefits of nuclear power in situations
where large units, generally considered
units with approximate electrical output
exceeding 1000 MWe, are not
appropriate or practical because of
various constraints (i.e. local
transmission system, limited physical
space or water availability, constraints
on the availability of capital for
construction and operation, proximity
to population centers, etc.). A NRC ESP
provides early resolution of site safety
and environmental issues, which in turn
provides predictability and stability in
any subsequent NRC licensing process.
The NRC prepared and released a
Final EIS in April 2019 to assess the
environmental aspects of their action, to
decide whether or not to issue an ESP
to TVA for the CRN Site. Following the
NRC ESP Final EIS determination, the
NRC issued the ESP to TVA in
December 2019. The ESP provides NRC
approval of the CRN site for considering
new nuclear power units demonstrating
SMR technology; the ESP does not
authorize TVA to construct or operate a
nuclear facility. TVA must apply for and
receive additional licenses from the
NRC prior to initiating construction or
operation of advanced nuclear reactors
at the CRN Site.
Project Purpose and Need
In June 2019, TVA released the Final
2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and
the associated IRP Final EIS. The IRP
identified the various resources that
TVA intends to pursue to meet the
energy needs of the Valley over the 20year planning period in accordance with
TVA’s mission. The 2019 IRP
recommends that TVA continue to
evaluate emerging nuclear technologies,
including SMRs, as part of technology
innovation efforts aimed at developing
future electricity generation capabilities.
TVA’s purpose and need for the CRN
Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology
Park is two-fold. First is to evaluate and
demonstrate the feasibility of deploying
advanced nuclear reactors to support
TVA’s mission of providing safe, clean,
reliable, and low-cost energy to the
Tennessee Valley. Second is to evaluate
emerging nuclear technologies as part of
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8477
technology innovation efforts aimed at
developing future generation capacities.
TVA will consider the potential
environmental effects associated with
the proposed construction, operation,
and decommissioning of one or more
advanced nuclear reactors, with a
cumulative electrical output not to
exceed 800 MWe at the CRN Site. In
addition to producing energy, advanced
reactors could support a low carbon
future, including demonstration of
technologies such as microgrids, grid
resiliency, waste heat energy storage for
grid support, and the production of
isotopes of hydrogen and other
elements.
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
The PEIS will address a range of
alternatives for construction, operation,
and decommissioning of an advanced
nuclear reactor technology park at the
CRN Site. Action alternatives include
construction of light water reactor
(LWR) alternatives and/or non-LWR
alternatives at the CRN Site. There are
two areas within the 935-acre CRN Site
that are best suitable for development;
these are designated as Area 1 and Area
2. Therefore, TVA plans to evaluate four
discrete alternatives (A–D) for these
proposed actions including the NoAction Alternative (A) and an advanced
nuclear reactor technology park at Area
1 (B); at Area 2 (C); at Area 1 and Area
2 (D). Two additional alternatives E and
F were considered but eliminated.
Anticipated Environmental Impacts
The PEIS will include a detailed
evaluation of all environmental, social,
and economic impacts associated with
implementation of the proposed action.
Resource areas to be addressed in the
PEIS include, but are not limited to: Air
quality; aquatics; botany; climate
change; cultural resources; emergency
planning; floodplains; geology and
groundwater; hydrothermal; land use;
navigation; noise and vibration;
radiological safety; soil erosion and
surface water; socioeconomics and
environmental justice; threatened and
endangered species; transportation;
visual; waste; water use; wetlands; and
wildlife. Measures to avoid, minimize,
and mitigate adverse effects will be
identified and evaluated in the PEIS.
Anticipated Permits and Other
Authorizations
TVA anticipates consulting on the
required authorities including, but not
limited to: The Endangered Species Act;
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act;
Rare Species Protection and
Conservation Act; National Historic
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 / Notices
Preservation Act; Clean Air Act; and
Federal Clean Water Act.
TVA anticipates seeking required
permits or authorizations, from the
following governmental entities: The
Nuclear Regulatory Commission;
Federal Aviation Administration; U.S.
Department of Transportation;
Tennessee Department of
Transportation; U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers; U.S. Coast Guard; U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency;
Tennessee Department of Environment
and Conservation; U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service; the City of Oak Ridge;
Tennessee State Historic Preservation
Officer; Tribal Historic Preservation
Officers; and Texas Department of State
Health Services, Radiation Control
Program, Radiation Safety Licensing
Branch. This is not an exhaustive list,
other permits or authorizations may be
sought as required or appropriate.
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Public Participation and Scoping
Process
TVA seeks comment and participation
from all interested parties for the
proposed action, including, but not
limited, to assisting TVA in determining
the scope of issues for analysis in the
PEIS. Information about this project is
available at https://www.tva.com/nepa,
which includes a link to an online
public comment page. TVA invites the
public to identify other potential
alternatives, information, and analysis
relevant to the proposed action.
Comments must be received or
postmarked no later than March 19,
2021. Federal, state, local agencies, and
Native American Tribes are also invited
to provide comments. 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.
To accommodate social distancing
guidelines and public health
recommendations related to the COVID–
19 pandemic, TVA will host a virtual
open house during the scoping period.
The virtual open house will be held on
March 1, 2021, from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
EST. Visit https://www.tva.com/nepa to
obtain more information about the
virtual open house. Additional open
house details will be available on the
project site by February 17, 2021.
PEIS Preparation and Schedule
TVA will consider comments received
during the scoping period and develop
a scoping report, which will be
published at https://www.tva.com/nepa.
The scoping report will summarize
public and agency comments that were
received and identify the projected
schedule for completing the PEIS
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18:53 Feb 04, 2021
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process. Following completion of the
CRN Site environmental analysis, TVA
will post a Draft PEIS for public review
and comment on the project web page.
TVA anticipates holding a public open
house, which may be virtual, after
releasing the Draft PEIS. Open house
details will be posted on TVA’s website
in conjunction with the Draft PEIS. TVA
expects to release the Draft PEIS in the
Fall of 2021.
TVA will consider the substantive
comments received on the Draft PEIS,
financial assessments, engineering
evaluations, risk evaluations, and other
applicable evaluations in the Final PEIS
before selecting one or more
alternatives. TVA projects completing a
Final PEIS in Spring 2022.
Subsequently, a final determination on
proceeding with the CRN Site will be
documented in a Record of Decision.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9.
Rebecca Tolene,
Vice President, Environment.
[FR Doc. 2021–02144 Filed 2–4–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions
on Proposed Highway in California
Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Limitation on Claims
for Judicial Review of Actions by the
California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans).
AGENCY:
The FHWA, on behalf of
Caltrans, is issuing this notice to
announce actions taken by Caltrans that
are final. The actions relate to a
proposed highway project, I–10 Blythe
Pavement Rehabilitation Project in the
County of Riverside, State of California.
Those actions grant licenses, permits,
and approvals for the project.
DATES: By this notice, the FHWA, on
behalf of Caltrans, is advising the public
of final agency actions subject to 23
U.S.C. 139(l)(1). A claim seeking
judicial review of the Federal agency
actions on the highway project will be
barred unless the claim is filed on or
before July 6, 2021. If the Federal law
that authorizes judicial review of a
claim provides a time period of less
than 150 days for filing such claim, then
that shorter time period still applies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Caltrans: Antonia Toledo, Senior
Environmental Planner, California
SUMMARY:
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Department of Transportation-District 8,
464 W 4th Street, MS–820, San
Bernardino, CA 92401. Office Hours:
8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m., Pacific Standard
Time, telephone, (909) 501–5741 or
email Antonia.Toledo@dot.ca.gov. For
FHWA, contact David Tedrick at (916)
498–5024 or email david.tedrick@
dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective
July 1, 2007, the FHWA assigned, and
Caltrans assumed, environmental
responsibilities for this project pursuant
to 23 U.S.C. 327. Notice is hereby given
that Caltrans has taken final agency
actions subject to 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1) by
issuing licenses, permits, and approvals
for the following highway project in the
State of California: rehabilitation of the
existing asphalt concrete (AC) pavement
on Interstate 10 from Post Mile (PM)
R134.0 to PM R156.5 in the County of
Riverside. Rehabilitation Activities
include removal and replacement of
existing inside and outside shoulders,
guardrails, rumble strips, drainage
inlets, and dikes, and installation of
oversized drains. The project will also
involve upgrades to ramp facilities for
ADA compliance, installation of two
temporary detour lanes in the existing
median, extension of existing rock slope
protection at bridge locations, and
hydroseeding the median for erosion
control and vegetation restoration. The
primary purpose of this project is to
restore and extend the life of existing
pavement for a minimum of forty years,
enhance trip reliability, and
consequently minimize expenditures
associated with future maintenance. The
actions by the Federal agencies, and the
laws under which such actions were
taken, are described in the Final
Environmental Assessment (FEA)/
Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) for the project, approved on
July 27, 2020, and in other documents
in Caltrans’ project records. The FEA,
FONSI and other project records are
available by contacting Caltrans at the
addresses provided above.
This notice applies to all Federal
agency decisions as of the issuance date
of this notice and all laws under which
such actions were taken, including but
not limited to:
1. Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regulations
2. National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C 4331(b)(2)
3. Federal Highway Act of 1970, U.S.C 772
4. Federal Clean Air Act of 1977 and 1987
5. Clean Water Act of 1977 and 1987
6. Federal Water Pollution Control Act of
1972
7. Safe Drinking Water Act of 1944, as
amended
8. Executive Order 11988, Floodplain
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 23 (Friday, February 5, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8476-8478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02144]
=======================================================================
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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement--Clinch River Nuclear
Site Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technology Park
AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare a
Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to address the
potential environmental effects associated with the construction,
operation, and decommissioning of an advanced nuclear reactor
technology park at the Clinch River Nuclear (CRN) Site in Oak Ridge,
Roane County, Tennessee. The park would contain one or more advanced
nuclear reactors with a cumulative electrical output not to exceed 800
megawatts electric (MWe). TVA plans to evaluate a variety of
alternatives including a no-action alternative. Public comments are
invited to identify other potential alternatives, information, and
analysis relevant to the proposed action.
DATES: The public scoping period begins with the publication of this
Notice in the Federal Register and comments on the scope of the PEIS
must be received or postmarked by March 19, 2021. To accommodate social
distancing guidelines and public health recommendations related to the
COVID-19 pandemic, TVA will host a virtual open house on March 1, 2021
from 6:00-8:00 p.m. EST. Visit https://www.tva.com/nepa to obtain more
information.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted in writing to J. Taylor Cates,
NEPA Specialist, 1101 Market Street, BR 2C-C, Chattanooga, TN 37402.
Comments may also be submitted online at: https://www.tva.com/nepa or
by email to [email protected]. Due to COVID-19 teleworking restrictions,
electronic submission of comments is encouraged to ensure timely review
and consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Other related questions should be sent
to Tennessee Valley Authority, J. Taylor Cates, NEPA Specialist, 1101
Market Street, BR 2C-C, Chattanooga, TN, 37402, 423-751-2732, or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is provided in accordance with
the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations for
implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) at 40 CFR
parts 1500-1508 and Section 106 of the National Historic
[[Page 8477]]
Preservation Act (NHPA), and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part
800). The PEIS will be prepared consistent with the 2020 CEQ
regulations for implementing NEPA at 40 CFR parts 1500-1508 (85 FR
43304-43376, Jul. 16, 2020).
TVA Power System
TVA is a corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States
created by and existing pursuant to the TVA Act of 1933 (16 U.S.C. part
831), to, among other things, foster the social and economic welfare of
the people of the Tennessee Valley region and promote the proper use
and conservation of the Valley's natural resources. TVA generates and
distributes electricity for business customers and local power
distributors, serving more than 10 million people in parts of seven
southeastern states. TVA is fully self-financed without Federal
appropriations and funds operations through electricity sales and power
system bond financing. 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.
Dependable electrical capacity on the TVA power system is about
33,000 MWe. TVA's current generating assets include one pumped-storage
facility, one diesel generator site, three nuclear plants, five coal
plants, nine combustion turbine plants, eight combined cycle plants, 14
solar energy sites, 29 hydroelectric dams, and several small renewable
generating facilities. A portion of delivered power is obtained through
long-term power purchase agreements. About 13 percent of TVA's annual
generation is from hydro; 14 percent is from coal; 27 percent is from
natural gas; 41 percent is from nuclear; and the remainder is from
wind, solar, and energy efficiency programs. TVA transmits electricity
from these facilities over almost 16,000 miles of transmission lines.
Like other utility systems, TVA has power interchange agreements with
utilities surrounding the Tennessee Valley region, and buys and sells
power on an economic basis almost daily.
Background
The CRN Site is in Oak Ridge, Roane County, Tennessee, on 935 acres
of TVA-managed land on the Clinch River arm of the Watts Bar Reservoir.
The site is located adjacent to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE)
Oak Ridge Reservation, a roughly 33,500 acre reservation with defense,
research, and environmental cleanup missions.
In May 2016, TVA submitted an application to the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) for an Early Site Permit (ESP) at the CRN Site for two
or more new nuclear power units demonstrating Small Modular Reactors
(SMR) technology with a total combined nuclear generating capacity not
to exceed 800 MWe. SMRs provide the benefits of nuclear power in
situations where large units, generally considered units with
approximate electrical output exceeding 1000 MWe, are not appropriate
or practical because of various constraints (i.e. local transmission
system, limited physical space or water availability, constraints on
the availability of capital for construction and operation, proximity
to population centers, etc.). A NRC ESP provides early resolution of
site safety and environmental issues, which in turn provides
predictability and stability in any subsequent NRC licensing process.
The NRC prepared and released a Final EIS in April 2019 to assess
the environmental aspects of their action, to decide whether or not to
issue an ESP to TVA for the CRN Site. Following the NRC ESP Final EIS
determination, the NRC issued the ESP to TVA in December 2019. The ESP
provides NRC approval of the CRN site for considering new nuclear power
units demonstrating SMR technology; the ESP does not authorize TVA to
construct or operate a nuclear facility. TVA must apply for and receive
additional licenses from the NRC prior to initiating construction or
operation of advanced nuclear reactors at the CRN Site.
Project Purpose and Need
In June 2019, TVA released the Final 2019 Integrated Resource Plan
(IRP) and the associated IRP Final EIS. The IRP identified the various
resources that TVA intends to pursue to meet the energy needs of the
Valley over the 20-year planning period in accordance with TVA's
mission. The 2019 IRP recommends that TVA continue to evaluate emerging
nuclear technologies, including SMRs, as part of technology innovation
efforts aimed at developing future electricity generation capabilities.
TVA's purpose and need for the CRN Advanced Nuclear Reactor
Technology Park is two-fold. First is to evaluate and demonstrate the
feasibility of deploying advanced nuclear reactors to support TVA's
mission of providing safe, clean, reliable, and low-cost energy to the
Tennessee Valley. Second is to evaluate emerging nuclear technologies
as part of technology innovation efforts aimed at developing future
generation capacities.
TVA will consider the potential environmental effects associated
with the proposed construction, operation, and decommissioning of one
or more advanced nuclear reactors, with a cumulative electrical output
not to exceed 800 MWe at the CRN Site. In addition to producing energy,
advanced reactors could support a low carbon future, including
demonstration of technologies such as microgrids, grid resiliency,
waste heat energy storage for grid support, and the production of
isotopes of hydrogen and other elements.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The PEIS will address a range of alternatives for construction,
operation, and decommissioning of an advanced nuclear reactor
technology park at the CRN Site. Action alternatives include
construction of light water reactor (LWR) alternatives and/or non-LWR
alternatives at the CRN Site. There are two areas within the 935-acre
CRN Site that are best suitable for development; these are designated
as Area 1 and Area 2. Therefore, TVA plans to evaluate four discrete
alternatives (A-D) for these proposed actions including the No-Action
Alternative (A) and an advanced nuclear reactor technology park at Area
1 (B); at Area 2 (C); at Area 1 and Area 2 (D). Two additional
alternatives E and F were considered but eliminated.
Anticipated Environmental Impacts
The PEIS will include a detailed evaluation of all environmental,
social, and economic impacts associated with implementation of the
proposed action. Resource areas to be addressed in the PEIS include,
but are not limited to: Air quality; aquatics; botany; climate change;
cultural resources; emergency planning; floodplains; geology and
groundwater; hydrothermal; land use; navigation; noise and vibration;
radiological safety; soil erosion and surface water; socioeconomics and
environmental justice; threatened and endangered species;
transportation; visual; waste; water use; wetlands; and wildlife.
Measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate adverse effects will be
identified and evaluated in the PEIS.
Anticipated Permits and Other Authorizations
TVA anticipates consulting on the required authorities including,
but not limited to: The Endangered Species Act; Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act; Rare Species Protection and Conservation Act; National
Historic
[[Page 8478]]
Preservation Act; Clean Air Act; and Federal Clean Water Act.
TVA anticipates seeking required permits or authorizations, from
the following governmental entities: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission;
Federal Aviation Administration; U.S. Department of Transportation;
Tennessee Department of Transportation; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; the City of Oak Ridge; Tennessee State Historic Preservation
Officer; Tribal Historic Preservation Officers; and Texas Department of
State Health Services, Radiation Control Program, Radiation Safety
Licensing Branch. This is not an exhaustive list, other permits or
authorizations may be sought as required or appropriate.
Public Participation and Scoping Process
TVA seeks comment and participation from all interested parties for
the proposed action, including, but not limited, to assisting TVA in
determining the scope of issues for analysis in the PEIS. Information
about this project is available at https://www.tva.com/nepa, which
includes a link to an online public comment page. TVA invites the
public to identify other potential alternatives, information, and
analysis relevant to the proposed action. Comments must be received or
postmarked no later than March 19, 2021. Federal, state, local
agencies, and Native American Tribes are also invited to provide
comments. 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.
To accommodate social distancing guidelines and public health
recommendations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA will host a
virtual open house during the scoping period. The virtual open house
will be held on March 1, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. EST. Visit https://www.tva.com/nepa to obtain more information about the virtual open
house. Additional open house details will be available on the project
site by February 17, 2021.
PEIS Preparation and Schedule
TVA will consider comments received during the scoping period and
develop a scoping report, which will be published at https://www.tva.com/nepa. The scoping report will summarize public and agency
comments that were received and identify the projected schedule for
completing the PEIS process. Following completion of the CRN Site
environmental analysis, TVA will post a Draft PEIS for public review
and comment on the project web page. TVA anticipates holding a public
open house, which may be virtual, after releasing the Draft PEIS. Open
house details will be posted on TVA's website in conjunction with the
Draft PEIS. TVA expects to release the Draft PEIS in the Fall of 2021.
TVA will consider the substantive comments received on the Draft
PEIS, financial assessments, engineering evaluations, risk evaluations,
and other applicable evaluations in the Final PEIS before selecting one
or more alternatives. TVA projects completing a Final PEIS in Spring
2022. Subsequently, a final determination on proceeding with the CRN
Site will be documented in a Record of Decision.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9.
Rebecca Tolene,
Vice President, Environment.
[FR Doc. 2021-02144 Filed 2-4-21; 8:45 am]
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