Solar and Battery Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, 32270-32271 [2023-10654]
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32270
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 97 / Friday, May 19, 2023 / Notices
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
TVA has initially identified four
alternatives for evaluation in the PEIS
associated with the proposed pumped
storage hydro facilities. These include a
No Action Alternative and three Action
Alternatives. Under the No Action
Alternative, TVA will evaluate and
consider the impact of not including
additional PSH in TVA’s energy storage
fleet. TVA will evaluate and consider
each of the Action Alternatives to
determine which site(s) are best suited
for pumped storage. The Action
Alternatives will include the expansion
of the existing PSH facility at Raccoon
Mountain, constructing a new facility
near Pisgah, Alabama (Rorex Creek), and
constructing a new facility near Fabius,
Alabama (Widows Creek). Both new
facilities would be located within
Jackson County, Alabama.
The description and analysis of these
alternatives in the PEIS will inform
decision makers, other agencies, and the
public about the potential for
environmental impacts associated with
the proposed PSH facilities. TVA
solicits comment on whether there are
other alternatives that should be
assessed in the PEIS. TVA also requests
information and analyses that may be
relevant to the project.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Anticipated Environmental Impacts
Public scoping is integral to the
process for implementing NEPA and
ensures that (1) issues are identified
early and properly studied, (2) issues of
little significance do not consume
substantial time and effort, and (3) the
analysis of identified issues is thorough
and balanced. This PEIS will identify
the purpose and need of the Action
Alternatives and will contain
descriptions of the existing
environmental and socioeconomic
resources within the area that could be
affected by the proposed project.
Evaluation of potential environmental
impacts to these resources will include,
but not be limited to, water resources,
biological resources, cultural resources,
natural areas and recreation, navigation,
utilities, recreation, geology and
groundwater, air quality and climate
change, greenhouse gas emissions, land
use and prime farmland, noise, public
health and safety, socioeconomics and
environmental justice, solid and
hazardous waste and material,
transportation, and visual resources.
The PEIS will analyze measures that
would avoid, minimize, or mitigate
environmental effects.
The final range of issues to be
addressed in the environmental review
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:30 May 18, 2023
Jkt 259001
will be determined, in part, from
scoping comments received. TVA is
particularly interested in public input
on other reasonable alternatives that
should be considered in the PEIS. The
preliminary identification of reasonable
alternatives and environmental issues in
this notice is not meant to be exhaustive
or final.
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: U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers; U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency; Alabama
Department of Environment and
Conservation; Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation; U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service; Alabama
State Historic Preservation Officer;
Tennessee 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
The public is invited to submit
comments on the scope of the PEIS no
later than the date identified in the
DATES section of this notice. Federal,
state, and local agencies and Native
American Tribes are also invited to
provide comments. Information about
this project is available on the TVA web
page at https://www.tva.gov/nepa,
including a link to an online public
comment page.
SEIS Preparation and Schedule
Any comments received, including
names and addresses, will become part
of the administrative record and will be
available for public inspection. After
consideration of comments received
during the scoping period, TVA will
develop a scoping document that will
summarize public and agency
comments that were received and
identify the schedule for completing the
PEIS process.
Following analysis of the resources
and issues, TVA will prepare a draft
PEIS for public review and comment
tentatively scheduled for late 2024/early
2025; the final PEIS and decision is
tentatively scheduled for 2025. In
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
finalizing the PEIS and in making its
final decision, TVA will consider the
comments that it receives on the draft
PEIS. A final determination on
proceeding with the preferred
alternative will be documented in a
Record of Decision.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9.
Susan Jacks,
General Manager, Environmental Resource
Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023–10653 Filed 5–18–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120–08–P
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Solar and Battery Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement
Tennessee Valley Authority.
Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
TVA is working to build an
energy system powered by cleaner, more
flexible energy, and solar and storage
will play a big role. TVA has an
expansion target of 10,000 megawatts
(MW) of solar by 2035. TVA has
identified the need to respond more
efficiently and effectively to the growing
number of solar and battery projects that
will be required to achieve TVA’s
overall decarbonization goals and
aspirations. To meet its obligations
under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), TVA is preparing a
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement (PEIS) to develop new
guidance and a bounding analysis that
will further facilitate solar energy and
battery energy storage development on
TVA-owned and private lands within
the TVA service area. TVA would
consider this guidance, including
recommended environmental practices
and mitigation measures, in its decisionmaking processes.
DATES: To ensure consideration,
comments on the scope, alternatives
being considered, and environmental
issues must be postmarked, emailed, or
submitted online no later than June 20,
2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be sent to Elizabeth Smith, NEPA
Compliance Specialist, 400 West
Summit Hill Dr., WT 11B, Knoxville,
TN 37902–1499. Comments may also be
submitted online at: https://
www.tva.gov/NEPA or by email at
NEPA@tva.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
general information about the NEPA
process and/or general project
information, please contact Elizabeth
Smith, NEPA Compliance Specialist,
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM
19MYN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 97 / Friday, May 19, 2023 / Notices
32271
email: esmith14@tva.gov, or contact by
phone at 865–632–3053.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice is provided in accordance with
the Council on Environmental Quality’s
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 to 1508)
and TVA’s procedures for implementing
NEPA. TVA is an agency and
instrumentality of the United States,
established by an act of Congress in
1933, to foster the social and economic
welfare of the people of the Tennessee
Valley region and to promote the proper
use and conservation of the region’s
natural resources. One component of
this mission is the generation,
transmission, and sale of reliable and
affordable electric energy. As part of its
diversified energy strategy, TVA
produces or obtains electricity from a
diverse portfolio of energy sources,
including solar, hydroelectric, wind,
biomass, fossil fuel, and nuclear.
The analyses in a programmatic NEPA
review are valuable in setting out the
broad view of environmental impacts
and benefits for a proposed decision
such as establishing a policy, program,
or plan. That programmatic NEPA
review can then be relied upon when
agencies make decisions based on the
programmatic EIS, as well as decisions
based on a subsequent (also known as
tiered) NEPA review.
Public comment is invited concerning
the scope of the PEIS, alternatives being
considered, and environmental issues
that should be addressed as a part of
this PEIS. TVA is also requesting data,
information, and analysis relevant to the
proposed action from the public;
affected Federal, State, tribal, and local
governments, agencies, and offices; the
scientific community; industry; or any
other interested party.
manner to the growing number of solar
and battery projects that will be
required to meet the target supply
identified in the 2019 IRP and to meet
TVA’s carbon reduction goals.
Programmatic environmental guidance
would seek to minimize potential
negative environmental impacts,
minimize social and economic impacts,
integrate conservation measures with
site development in alignment with the
TVA Biodiversity Policy, and
standardize and streamline the
authorization process for solar energy
development through a bounding
analysis to help identify the range of
potential impacts or risks. TVA’s
purpose is to promote, expedite, and
advance the production and
transmission of environmentally sound
energy resources, including solar energy
and battery storage systems, and
increase opportunities for responsible
renewable energy development.
quality and climate change, greenhouse
gas emissions, land use and prime
farmland, noise, public health and
safety, socioeconomics and
environmental justice, solid and
hazardous waste and material,
transportation, and visual resources.
The PEIS will analyze measures that
would avoid, minimize, or mitigate
environmental effects.
The final range of issues to be
addressed in the environmental review
will be determined, in part, from
scoping comments received. TVA is
particularly interested in public input
on other reasonable alternatives that
should be considered in the PEIS. The
preliminary identification of reasonable
alternatives and environmental issues in
this notice is not meant to be exhaustive
or final.
Alternatives
The PEIS will evaluate a no action
alternative, under which TVA would
not develop programmatic
environmental guidance and continue to
address environmental concerns for
TVA-owned and TVA-contracted solar
and battery projects on a case-by-case
basis. Under the action alternative, TVA
would develop programmatic
environmental guidance through a
bounding analysis to help identify the
range of potential impacts or risks for
use in TVA-owned and TVA-contracted
solar and battery projects. TVA solicits
comment on whether there are other
alternatives that should be assessed in
the PEIS. TVA also requests information
and analyses that may be relevant to the
project.
Background
In June 2019, TVA completed the
2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and
associated EIS. The IRP is a
comprehensive study of how TVA will
meet the demand for electricity in its
service territory over the next 20 years.
The 2019 IRP recommends solar
expansion and anticipated growth in all
scenarios analyzed, with most scenarios
anticipating 5,000 to 8,000 MW and one
anticipating up to 14,000 MW by 2038,
as well as up to 5,300 MW of storage.
The IRP recommendation as well as
customer demand for cleaner energy has
prompted TVA to release multiple
Requests for Proposal for renewable
energy and carbon-free energy resources
since 2019. As of April 2023, TVA
currently has over 2,900 MW of solar
capacity both operating and contracted.
TVA has identified the need to
respond in a more efficient and effective
Resource Areas and Issues To Be
Considered
Public scoping is integral to the
process for implementing NEPA and
ensures that (1) issues are identified
early and properly studied, (2) issues of
little significance do not consume
substantial time and effort, and (3) the
analysis of identified issues is thorough
and balanced. This PEIS will identify
the purpose and need of the action
alternative and will contain descriptions
of the existing environmental and
socioeconomic resources within the
TVA power service area that could be
affected by the proposed project.
Evaluation of potential environmental
impacts to these resources will include,
but not be limited to, water resources,
biological resources, cultural resources,
natural areas and recreation, navigation,
utilities, recreation, floodplains,
wetlands, geology and groundwater, air
The public is invited to submit
comments on the scope of the PEIS no
later than the date identified in the
DATES section of this notice. Federal,
state, and local agencies and Native
American Tribes are also invited to
provide comments. Written requests to
participate as a consulting party or
cooperating agency must be received by
June 20, 2023. Information about this
project is available on the TVA web
page at https://www.tva.gov/NEPA
including a link to an online public
comment page. Any comments received,
including names and addresses, will
become part of the administrative record
and will be available for public
inspection.
After consideration of comments
received during the scoping period,
TVA will develop a scoping document
that will summarize public and agency
comments that were received and
identify the schedule for completing the
PEIS process. Following analysis of the
resources and issues, TVA will prepare
a draft PEIS for public review and
comment tentatively scheduled for
2024; the final PEIS and decision is
tentatively scheduled for 2025.
In finalizing the PEIS and in making
its final decision, TVA will consider the
comments that it receives on the draft
PEIS.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:30 May 18, 2023
Jkt 259001
PO 00000
Frm 00096
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
Public Participation
Susan Jacks,
General Manager, Environmental Resource
Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023–10654 Filed 5–18–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120–08–P
E:\FR\FM\19MYN1.SGM
19MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 97 (Friday, May 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32270-32271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-10654]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Solar and Battery Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: TVA is working to build an energy system powered by cleaner,
more flexible energy, and solar and storage will play a big role. TVA
has an expansion target of 10,000 megawatts (MW) of solar by 2035. TVA
has identified the need to respond more efficiently and effectively to
the growing number of solar and battery projects that will be required
to achieve TVA's overall decarbonization goals and aspirations. To meet
its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), TVA
is preparing a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to
develop new guidance and a bounding analysis that will further
facilitate solar energy and battery energy storage development on TVA-
owned and private lands within the TVA service area. TVA would consider
this guidance, including recommended environmental practices and
mitigation measures, in its decision-making processes.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments on the scope, alternatives
being considered, and environmental issues must be postmarked, emailed,
or submitted online no later than June 20, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Elizabeth Smith, NEPA
Compliance Specialist, 400 West Summit Hill Dr., WT 11B, Knoxville, TN
37902-1499. Comments may also be submitted online at: https://www.tva.gov/NEPA or by email at [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information about the NEPA
process and/or general project information, please contact Elizabeth
Smith, NEPA Compliance Specialist,
[[Page 32271]]
email: [email protected], or contact by phone at 865-632-3053.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is provided in accordance with
the Council on Environmental Quality's Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500
to 1508) and TVA's procedures for implementing NEPA. TVA is an agency
and instrumentality of the United States, established by an act of
Congress in 1933, to foster the social and economic welfare of the
people of the Tennessee Valley region and to promote the proper use and
conservation of the region's natural resources. One component of this
mission is the generation, transmission, and sale of reliable and
affordable electric energy. As part of its diversified energy strategy,
TVA produces or obtains electricity from a diverse portfolio of energy
sources, including solar, hydroelectric, wind, biomass, fossil fuel,
and nuclear.
The analyses in a programmatic NEPA review are valuable in setting
out the broad view of environmental impacts and benefits for a proposed
decision such as establishing a policy, program, or plan. That
programmatic NEPA review can then be relied upon when agencies make
decisions based on the programmatic EIS, as well as decisions based on
a subsequent (also known as tiered) NEPA review.
Public comment is invited concerning the scope of the PEIS,
alternatives being considered, and environmental issues that should be
addressed as a part of this PEIS. TVA is also requesting data,
information, and analysis relevant to the proposed action from the
public; affected Federal, State, tribal, and local governments,
agencies, and offices; the scientific community; industry; or any other
interested party.
Background
In June 2019, TVA completed the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
and associated EIS. The IRP is a comprehensive study of how TVA will
meet the demand for electricity in its service territory over the next
20 years. The 2019 IRP recommends solar expansion and anticipated
growth in all scenarios analyzed, with most scenarios anticipating
5,000 to 8,000 MW and one anticipating up to 14,000 MW by 2038, as well
as up to 5,300 MW of storage. The IRP recommendation as well as
customer demand for cleaner energy has prompted TVA to release multiple
Requests for Proposal for renewable energy and carbon-free energy
resources since 2019. As of April 2023, TVA currently has over 2,900 MW
of solar capacity both operating and contracted.
TVA has identified the need to respond in a more efficient and
effective manner to the growing number of solar and battery projects
that will be required to meet the target supply identified in the 2019
IRP and to meet TVA's carbon reduction goals. Programmatic
environmental guidance would seek to minimize potential negative
environmental impacts, minimize social and economic impacts, integrate
conservation measures with site development in alignment with the TVA
Biodiversity Policy, and standardize and streamline the authorization
process for solar energy development through a bounding analysis to
help identify the range of potential impacts or risks. TVA's purpose is
to promote, expedite, and advance the production and transmission of
environmentally sound energy resources, including solar energy and
battery storage systems, and increase opportunities for responsible
renewable energy development.
Alternatives
The PEIS will evaluate a no action alternative, under which TVA
would not develop programmatic environmental guidance and continue to
address environmental concerns for TVA-owned and TVA-contracted solar
and battery projects on a case-by-case basis. Under the action
alternative, TVA would develop programmatic environmental guidance
through a bounding analysis to help identify the range of potential
impacts or risks for use in TVA-owned and TVA-contracted solar and
battery projects. TVA solicits comment on whether there are other
alternatives that should be assessed in the PEIS. TVA also requests
information and analyses that may be relevant to the project.
Resource Areas and Issues To Be Considered
Public scoping is integral to the process for implementing NEPA and
ensures that (1) issues are identified early and properly studied, (2)
issues of little significance do not consume substantial time and
effort, and (3) the analysis of identified issues is thorough and
balanced. This PEIS will identify the purpose and need of the action
alternative and will contain descriptions of the existing environmental
and socioeconomic resources within the TVA power service area that
could be affected by the proposed project. Evaluation of potential
environmental impacts to these resources will include, but not be
limited to, water resources, biological resources, cultural resources,
natural areas and recreation, navigation, utilities, recreation,
floodplains, wetlands, geology and groundwater, air quality and climate
change, greenhouse gas emissions, land use and prime farmland, noise,
public health and safety, socioeconomics and environmental justice,
solid and hazardous waste and material, transportation, and visual
resources. The PEIS will analyze measures that would avoid, minimize,
or mitigate environmental effects.
The final range of issues to be addressed in the environmental
review will be determined, in part, from scoping comments received. TVA
is particularly interested in public input on other reasonable
alternatives that should be considered in the PEIS. The preliminary
identification of reasonable alternatives and environmental issues in
this notice is not meant to be exhaustive or final.
Public Participation
The public is invited to submit comments on the scope of the PEIS
no later than the date identified in the DATES section of this notice.
Federal, state, and local agencies and Native American Tribes are also
invited to provide comments. Written requests to participate as a
consulting party or cooperating agency must be received by June 20,
2023. Information about this project is available on the TVA web page
at https://www.tva.gov/NEPA including a link to an online public
comment page. Any comments received, including names and addresses,
will become part of the administrative record and will be available for
public inspection.
After consideration of comments received during the scoping period,
TVA will develop a scoping document that will summarize public and
agency comments that were received and identify the schedule for
completing the PEIS process. Following analysis of the resources and
issues, TVA will prepare a draft PEIS for public review and comment
tentatively scheduled for 2024; the final PEIS and decision is
tentatively scheduled for 2025.
In finalizing the PEIS and in making its final decision, TVA will
consider the comments that it receives on the draft PEIS.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.9.
Susan Jacks,
General Manager, Environmental Resource Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023-10654 Filed 5-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-08-P
