Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement-Browns Ferry Nuclear Site Subsequent License Renewal, 29351-29353 [2021-11557]

Download as PDF 29351 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 103 / Tuesday, June 1, 2021 / Notices • 20 CFR 404.1740(b)(8) and 416.1540(b)(8)—This regulatory section requires representatives to disclose to SSA whether the representative is or has been disqualified from participating in or appearing before any Federal program or agency, including instances in which a Federal program or agency took administrative action to disqualify the representative in lieu of disciplinary proceedings. If the disqualification occurs after the appointment of the representative, the representative will immediately disclose the disqualification to SSA; and; • 20 CFR 404.1740(b)(9) and 416.1540(b)(9)—This regulatory section requires representatives to disclose to SSA whether the representative has been removed from practice or suspended by a professional licensing authority for reasons that reflect on the representative’s character, integrity, judgment, reliability, or fitness to serve as a fiduciary. If the removal or suspension occurs after the appointment of the representative, the representative will immediately disclose the removal or suspension to SSA. Number of respondents Regulation section Average burden per response (minutes) Frequency of response A representative’s obligation to report these events is ongoing, and SSA requires representatives to report any time one or more of these events occurs. We consider this information essential to ensure the integrity of our administrative process and to safeguard the rights of all claimants. SSA requires representatives to notify SSA in writing, but there is no prescribed format for these reports. The respondents are individuals appointed to represent claimants before SSA. Type of Request: Extension of an OMB-approved information collection. Estimated annual burden (hours) Average theoretical hourly cost amount (dollars) * Total annual opportunity cost (dollars) ** 404.1740(b)(5)/416.1540(b)(5) ................. 404.1740(b)(6)/416.1540(b)(6) ................. 404.1740(b)(7)/416.1540(b)(7) ................. 404.1740(b)(8)/416.1540(b)(8) ................. 404.170(b)(9)/416.1540(b)(9) ................... 43,600 2 50 10 10 1 1 1 1 1 5 5 5 5 5 3,633 0 4 1 1 * $26.45 * 69.86 * 69.86 * 69.86 * 69.86 ** $96,093 ** 0 ** 279 ** 70 ** 70 Totals ................................................ 43,672 ........................ ........................ 3,639 ........................ 96,512 * We based this figure on average hourly wages for paralegals/legal assistants and lawyers as posted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm). ** These figures do not represent actual costs that SSA is imposing on representatives to complete the required disclosures; rather, these are theoretical opportunity costs for the additional time representatives or their employees and associates will spend to complete the required disclosures. There is no actual charge to representatives to complete the required disclosures. Dated: May 25, 2021. Naomi Sipple, Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Administration. [FR Doc. 2021–11421 Filed 5–28–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191–02–P TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement—Browns Ferry Nuclear Site Subsequent License Renewal Tennessee Valley Authority. Notice of intent. AGENCY: ACTION: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to address the potential environmental effects associated with obtaining subsequent license renewals (SLR) for the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN) Units 1, 2, and 3 located in Limestone County, Alabama. Renewal of the operating licenses would allow the plant to continue to operate for an additional 20 years beyond the current operating licenses expiration dates of 2033, 2034, and 2036 for Units 1, 2, and 3, respectively. TVA plans to evaluate a variety of alternatives including a noaction alternative. Public comments are jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 May 28, 2021 Jkt 253001 invited to identify other potential alternatives, relevant information, and analysis related 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 SEIS must be received or postmarked by July 1, 2021. To accommodate social distancing guidelines and public health recommendations related to the COVID– 19 pandemic, TVA will have a virtual meeting room available for the duration of the scoping period. 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, or 423–751–2732/jtcates@ tva.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 Preservation Act (NHPA), and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800). The SEIS 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). The regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 10 CFR part 54 set forth the applicable license extension requirements. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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), and created 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 E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1 29352 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 103 / Tuesday, June 1, 2021 / Notices jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES appropriations, and funds virtually all 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 management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development efforts. Dependable electrical capacity on the TVA power system is about 33,000 Mega Watts Electric (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 and solar. TVA also gains available capacity through its 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 routinely buys and sells power. Background TVA operates BFN Units 1, 2, and 3 in Limestone County, Alabama. BFN is located on an 840-acre tract on the north shore of Wheeler Reservoir at Tennessee River Mile (TRM) 294, approximately 10 miles northwest of Decatur, Alabama, and 10 miles southwest of Athens, Alabama. BFN consists of three General Electric boiling water reactors (BWRs) and associated turbine generators that collectively supply approximately 3,900 MWe of electric power to the TVA transmission and distribution system. In March 2002 and June 2002, TVA issued a Final SEIS (FSEIS) and a Record of Decision (ROD) for the operating license renewal of BFN. TVA submitted a License Renewal Application (LRA) to the NRC in December 2003 for a 20-year renewal of the operating licenses for each BFN unit. The environmental conclusions of the NRC FSEIS did not differ from the TVA FSEIS conclusions, and the NRC issued Supplement 21 regarding Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Units 1, 2, and 3, to the Generic EIS (GEIS) for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (NUREG– 1437) in June 2005. The NRC issued VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 May 28, 2021 Jkt 253001 operating license renewals for Units 1, 2, and 3 in May 2006, allowing continued operation of the three BFN units until 2033, 2034, and 2036, respectively. In September 2015, TVA submitted a license amendment request (LAR) for extended power uprate (EPU) of all three units. The NRC issued a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in the Federal Register on December 1, 2016 for public comment. On May 22, 2017 the NRC issued the Final EA and FONSI related to the EPU license amendment. Project Purpose and Need The purpose of the proposed action is to help provide continued generation of baseload power between 2033 and 2053 by obtaining license renewals to operate BFN Units 1, 2, and 3. BFN is considered baseload power because the plant generally runs at close to maximum output. BFN’s current baseload generation supports future forecasted baseload power needs, as outlined in TVA’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), by helping to maintain grid stability and generating capacity for TVA’s generation portfolio mix. As an integral part of TVA’s current generation portfolio, in 2020, BFN produced approximately 20 percent of TVA’s average generation capacity. Renewal of the current operating licenses would allow BFN to continue supplying approximately 3,900 MWe capacity of baseload power. TVA needs to generate sufficient electricity to supply the Tennessee Valley with increasingly clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for the foreseeable future for the region’s homes and businesses, working with local power companies to keep service steady and reliable. By renewing the licenses, TVA would maximize use of existing assets to support TVA’s goals of generating electricity at the lowest feasible cost for the people of the Tennessee Valley. BFN’s carbon-free generating capacity supports TVA’s goal of a net-zero carbon emissions generating system by 2050. Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives TVA proposes to submit a Subsequent LRA (SLRA) to the NRC requesting renewal of BFN operating licenses. Renewal of the current operating licenses would permit operation for an additional 20 years past the current operating license terms, which expire in 2033, 2034, and 2036 for Units 1, 2, and 3, respectively. This SEIS is being prepared to provide the public and TVA PO 00000 Frm 00120 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 decision-makers an assessment of the environmental impacts of renewing BFN Unit 1, 2, and 3 operations, as well as provide the public an opportunity to participate in the SEIS process. License renewal does not require any new construction or modifications beyond normal maintenance and minor refurbishment. However, there are other proposed projects not directly related to SLR that are connected to, or could affect, license renewal. The SEIS proposes to address a range of alternatives (A–D) including: (A) The No-Action Alternative; (B) BFN Subsequent License Renewal; (C) Use of Existing Generating Assets; and (D) Use of Existing and Construction of New Generating Assets. Two additional alternatives, (E) Replacement of BFN Generating Capacity Entirely with Renewable Energy Sources and (F) Replacement of BFN Generating Capacity Entirely with Purchase Power, were considered but eliminated. Anticipated Environmental Impacts The SEIS will include a detailed evaluation of the environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with implementation of the proposed action. Resource areas to be addressed in the SEIS 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 SEIS. In preparing this SEIS, TVA will consider the analysis within the NRC’s Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (NUREG–1437, Revision 1), where the NRC generically considered the environmental effects of renewing nuclear power plant operating licenses for a 20-year period (results are codified in 10 CFR part 51). The GEIS identified 78 environmental issues and reached generic conclusions on environmental impacts for 59 of those issues that apply to all plants or to plants with specific design or site characteristics. The GEIS’ generic assessment is relevant to the assessment of impacts of the proposed action at BFN. Generic information from the NRC GEIS that is related to the current assessment would be incorporated by reference, generally following the tiering process described in 40 CFR 1501.11, E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 103 / Tuesday, June 1, 2021 / Notices with the SEIS providing a more narrow analysis relevant to the specific aspects of this proposed project. Additional plant-specific review would be conducted for impacts not covered by the GEIS and which are encompassed by the range of resource issue areas identified above. Anticipated Permits and Other Authorizations TVA anticipates consulting with 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 Preservation Act; Clean Air Act; and Federal Clean Water Act. TVA anticipates seeking required permits or authorizations as appropriate, from the following governmental entities: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission; US Army Corps of Engineers; US Coast Guard; US Environmental Protection Agency; Alabama Department of Environment and Conservation; US Fish and Wildlife Service; Alabama State Historic Preservation Officer; and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers. This is not an exhaustive list, other permits or authorizations may be sought as required or appropriate. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Jkt 253001 Rebecca Tolene, Vice President, Environment. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Notice of Intent To Release Certain Properties From All Terms, Conditions, Reservations and Restrictions of a Quitclaim Deed Agreement Between City of Tallahassee and the Federal Aviation Administration for the Tallahassee International Airport, Tallahassee, FL Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Request for public comment. AGENCY: The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties 44.66 acres at the Tallahassee International Airport, Tallahassee, FL from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the FAA and the City of Tallahassee, dated March 14, 1990. The release of property will allow the City of Tallahassee to dispose of the property for non-aeronautical purposes. The City of Tallahassee requests the release of a 44.66 acre tract located along Capital Circle SW in Tallahassee, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 Florida to facilitate the widening of State Road 263 for municipal development. This capital improvement project is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. The parcel is currently designated as aeronautical property. The property will be released of its federal obligations given the land is no longer required by The City of Tallahassee. The Fair Market Value (FMV) of this parcel has been determined to be $2,020,050.00. Documents reflecting the Sponsor’s request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Tallahassee International Airport and the FAA Airports District Office. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 125 of The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR–21) requires the FAA to provide an opportunity for public notice and comment prior to the ‘‘waiver’’ or ‘‘modification’’ of a sponsor’s Federal obligation to use certain airport land for non-aeronautical purposes. Comments are due on or before July 1, 2021. DATES: Documents are available for review at the Tallahassee International Airport, 3300 Capital Circle SW, Suite One, Tallahassee, FL 32310–8732 and the FAA Airports District Office, 8427 SouthPark Circle, Suite 524, Orlando, FL 32819–9058. Written comments on the Sponsor’s request must be delivered or mailed to: Stephen Wilson, Program Manager, Orlando Airports District Office, 8427 South Park Circle, Suite 524, Orlando, FL 32819–9058. In addition, a copy of any comments submitted to the FAA must be mailed or delivered to Mr. Eric Houge, Airport Engineer, Tallahassee International Airport, 3300 Capital Circle SW, Suite One, Tallahassee, FL 32310–8732. ADDRESSES: BILLING CODE 8120–08–P 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 SEIS. 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 alternatives, and analysis relevant to the proposed action. Comments must be received or postmarked no later than July 1, 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 have a virtual meeting room available for the duration of the scoping period that includes a range of information on the proposed action. Visit https://www.tva.com/nepa to obtain more information about the virtual open house. 18:20 May 28, 2021 Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9. [FR Doc. 2021–11557 Filed 5–28–21; 8:45 am] Public Participation and Scoping Process VerDate Sep<11>2014 SEIS 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 SEIS process. Following completion of the environmental analysis for SLR, TVA will post a Draft SEIS 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 SEIS. Open house details will be posted on TVA’s website in conjunction with the Draft SEIS. TVA expects to release the Draft SEIS in mid2022. TVA will consider comments received on the Draft SEIS, as well as cost, engineering, risk and other applicable evaluations before selecting one or more alternatives as preferred in the Final SEIS. TVA projects completing a Final SEIS in early 2023. A final determination on proceeding with the preferred alternative will be documented in a ROD. 29353 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Wilson, Program Manager, (407) 487–7229, Orlando Airports District Office, 8427 SouthPark Circle, Suite 524, Orlando, FL 32819–9058. Issued in Orlando, FL on May 26, 2021. Bartholomew Vernace, Manager, Orlando Airports District Office, Southern Region. Revision Date 11/22/00. [FR Doc. 2021–11435 Filed 5–28–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P E:\FR\FM\01JNN1.SGM 01JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29351-29353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11557]


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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY


Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement--Browns Ferry Nuclear 
Site Subsequent License Renewal

AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare a 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to address the 
potential environmental effects associated with obtaining subsequent 
license renewals (SLR) for the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN) Units 
1, 2, and 3 located in Limestone County, Alabama. Renewal of the 
operating licenses would allow the plant to continue to operate for an 
additional 20 years beyond the current operating licenses expiration 
dates of 2033, 2034, and 2036 for Units 1, 2, and 3, respectively. TVA 
plans to evaluate a variety of alternatives including a no-action 
alternative. Public comments are invited to identify other potential 
alternatives, relevant information, and analysis related 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 SEIS 
must be received or postmarked by July 1, 2021. To accommodate social 
distancing guidelines and public health recommendations related to the 
COVID-19 pandemic, TVA will have a virtual meeting room available for 
the duration of the scoping period. 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, or 423-751-2732/[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 Preservation 
Act (NHPA), and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800). The 
SEIS 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). The regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) 
in 10 CFR part 54 set forth the applicable license extension 
requirements.

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), and created 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

[[Page 29352]]

appropriations, and funds virtually all 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 management for the Tennessee River system, and 
assists local power companies and state and local governments with 
economic development efforts.
    Dependable electrical capacity on the TVA power system is about 
33,000 Mega Watts Electric (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 and solar. TVA also gains 
available capacity through its 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 routinely buys and sells power.

Background

    TVA operates BFN Units 1, 2, and 3 in Limestone County, Alabama. 
BFN is located on an 840-acre tract on the north shore of Wheeler 
Reservoir at Tennessee River Mile (TRM) 294, approximately 10 miles 
northwest of Decatur, Alabama, and 10 miles southwest of Athens, 
Alabama. BFN consists of three General Electric boiling water reactors 
(BWRs) and associated turbine generators that collectively supply 
approximately 3,900 MWe of electric power to the TVA transmission and 
distribution system.
    In March 2002 and June 2002, TVA issued a Final SEIS (FSEIS) and a 
Record of Decision (ROD) for the operating license renewal of BFN. TVA 
submitted a License Renewal Application (LRA) to the NRC in December 
2003 for a 20-year renewal of the operating licenses for each BFN unit. 
The environmental conclusions of the NRC FSEIS did not differ from the 
TVA FSEIS conclusions, and the NRC issued Supplement 21 regarding 
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Units 1, 2, and 3, to the Generic EIS (GEIS) 
for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (NUREG-1437) in June 2005. The 
NRC issued operating license renewals for Units 1, 2, and 3 in May 
2006, allowing continued operation of the three BFN units until 2033, 
2034, and 2036, respectively.
    In September 2015, TVA submitted a license amendment request (LAR) 
for extended power uprate (EPU) of all three units. The NRC issued a 
draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) in the Federal Register on December 1, 2016 for public 
comment. On May 22, 2017 the NRC issued the Final EA and FONSI related 
to the EPU license amendment.

Project Purpose and Need

    The purpose of the proposed action is to help provide continued 
generation of baseload power between 2033 and 2053 by obtaining license 
renewals to operate BFN Units 1, 2, and 3. BFN is considered baseload 
power because the plant generally runs at close to maximum output. 
BFN's current baseload generation supports future forecasted baseload 
power needs, as outlined in TVA's 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), 
by helping to maintain grid stability and generating capacity for TVA's 
generation portfolio mix. As an integral part of TVA's current 
generation portfolio, in 2020, BFN produced approximately 20 percent of 
TVA's average generation capacity. Renewal of the current operating 
licenses would allow BFN to continue supplying approximately 3,900 MWe 
capacity of baseload power.
    TVA needs to generate sufficient electricity to supply the 
Tennessee Valley with increasingly clean, reliable, and affordable 
electricity for the foreseeable future for the region's homes and 
businesses, working with local power companies to keep service steady 
and reliable. By renewing the licenses, TVA would maximize use of 
existing assets to support TVA's goals of generating electricity at the 
lowest feasible cost for the people of the Tennessee Valley. BFN's 
carbon-free generating capacity supports TVA's goal of a net-zero 
carbon emissions generating system by 2050.

Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives

    TVA proposes to submit a Subsequent LRA (SLRA) to the NRC 
requesting renewal of BFN operating licenses. Renewal of the current 
operating licenses would permit operation for an additional 20 years 
past the current operating license terms, which expire in 2033, 2034, 
and 2036 for Units 1, 2, and 3, respectively. This SEIS is being 
prepared to provide the public and TVA decision-makers an assessment of 
the environmental impacts of renewing BFN Unit 1, 2, and 3 operations, 
as well as provide the public an opportunity to participate in the SEIS 
process. License renewal does not require any new construction or 
modifications beyond normal maintenance and minor refurbishment. 
However, there are other proposed projects not directly related to SLR 
that are connected to, or could affect, license renewal.
    The SEIS proposes to address a range of alternatives (A-D) 
including: (A) The No-Action Alternative; (B) BFN Subsequent License 
Renewal; (C) Use of Existing Generating Assets; and (D) Use of Existing 
and Construction of New Generating Assets. Two additional alternatives, 
(E) Replacement of BFN Generating Capacity Entirely with Renewable 
Energy Sources and (F) Replacement of BFN Generating Capacity Entirely 
with Purchase Power, were considered but eliminated.

Anticipated Environmental Impacts

    The SEIS will include a detailed evaluation of the environmental, 
social, and economic impacts associated with implementation of the 
proposed action. Resource areas to be addressed in the SEIS 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 SEIS.
    In preparing this SEIS, TVA will consider the analysis within the 
NRC's Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for License Renewal 
of Nuclear Plants (NUREG-1437, Revision 1), where the NRC generically 
considered the environmental effects of renewing nuclear power plant 
operating licenses for a 20-year period (results are codified in 10 CFR 
part 51). The GEIS identified 78 environmental issues and reached 
generic conclusions on environmental impacts for 59 of those issues 
that apply to all plants or to plants with specific design or site 
characteristics. The GEIS' generic assessment is relevant to the 
assessment of impacts of the proposed action at BFN. Generic 
information from the NRC GEIS that is related to the current assessment 
would be incorporated by reference, generally following the tiering 
process described in 40 CFR 1501.11,

[[Page 29353]]

with the SEIS providing a more narrow analysis relevant to the specific 
aspects of this proposed project. Additional plant-specific review 
would be conducted for impacts not covered by the GEIS and which are 
encompassed by the range of resource issue areas identified above.

Anticipated Permits and Other Authorizations

    TVA anticipates consulting with 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 Preservation Act; Clean Air Act; and Federal Clean Water Act.
    TVA anticipates seeking required permits or authorizations as 
appropriate, from the following governmental entities: The Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission; US Army Corps of Engineers; US Coast Guard; US 
Environmental Protection Agency; Alabama Department of Environment and 
Conservation; US Fish and Wildlife Service; Alabama State Historic 
Preservation Officer; and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers. 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 SEIS. 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 alternatives, and analysis relevant to the 
proposed action. Comments must be received or postmarked no later than 
July 1, 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 have a 
virtual meeting room available for the duration of the scoping period 
that includes a range of information on the proposed action. Visit 
https://www.tva.com/nepa to obtain more information about the virtual 
open house.

SEIS 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 SEIS process. Following completion of the environmental 
analysis for SLR, TVA will post a Draft SEIS 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 SEIS. Open house 
details will be posted on TVA's website in conjunction with the Draft 
SEIS. TVA expects to release the Draft SEIS in mid-2022.
    TVA will consider comments received on the Draft SEIS, as well as 
cost, engineering, risk and other applicable evaluations before 
selecting one or more alternatives as preferred in the Final SEIS. TVA 
projects completing a Final SEIS in early 2023. A final determination 
on proceeding with the preferred alternative will be documented in a 
ROD.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9.

Rebecca Tolene,
Vice President, Environment.
[FR Doc. 2021-11557 Filed 5-28-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-08-P


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