[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64506-64508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20264]


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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY


Spring Valley II Solar Project

AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the purchase of electricity 
generated by the proposed Spring Valley II Solar Project in Colbert 
County, Alabama. The EIS will assess the potential environmental 
effects of constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed 178-
megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) solar facility that would occupy 
approximately 943 acres of the 1,629-acre project study area. Public 
comments are invited concerning the scope of the EIS, alternatives 
being considered, and environmental issues that should be addressed as 
a part of this EIS. 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.

DATES: The public scoping period begins with the publication of this 
Notice of Intent in the Federal Register. To ensure consideration, 
comments must be postmarked, emailed, or submitted online no later than 
October 19, 2023.

[[Page 64507]]


ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to J. Taylor Johnson, NEPA 
Compliance Specialist, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market Street, 
BR 2C-C, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402. Comments may be submitted online 
at: https://www.tva.gov/nepa, or by email to [email protected]. Please note 
that TVA encourages comments be submitted electronically.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Taylor Johnson by email at 
[email protected], by phone at (423) 751-2732, or by mail at the address 
above.

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 the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (18 CFR 1318). 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.

Background

    In June 2019, TVA completed the final 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 anticipates 
growth in all scenarios analyzed, with most scenarios anticipating 
5,000-8,000 MW and one anticipating up to 14,000 MW by 2038. In 2022, 
customer demand for cleaner energy prompted TVA to release a Carbon-
Free Request for Proposal (RFP) for renewable energy resources.
    As a result of the RFP, TVA is considering entering into a Power 
Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Spring Valley Solar, LLC to purchase 178 
MW AC of power generated by the proposed Spring Valley II Solar 
Project. The proposed solar facility would occupy approximately 943 
acres of the 1,629-acre project study area, which is located entirely 
in Colbert County, Alabama. The land surplus is to accommodate 
relocating the arrays if any areas need to be avoided as a result of 
the environmental review. The project site is located south of the city 
limits of Tuscumbia, Alabama, near the City of Muscle Shoals and 
Florence, Alabama, along US Highway 43. The project site is a mixture 
of agricultural fields and forested areas. A map showing the project 
site is available at https://www.tva.gov/nepa.

Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives

    In addition to a No Action Alternative, TVA will evaluate the 
action alternative of purchasing power from the proposed Spring Valley 
II Solar Project under the terms of a PPA. In evaluating alternatives, 
TVA considered other solar proposals, prior to selecting the Spring 
Valley II site for further evaluation. Part of the screening process 
included a review of transmission options, including key connection 
points to TVA's transmission system. The Spring Valley II site stood 
out as a viable option for connectivity. Environmental and cultural 
considerations are also included in TVA's screening. For the proposed 
site, the solar developer plans to consider the establishment of a 
footprint that could avoid impacts to cultural or biological resources. 
The EIS will also evaluate ways to mitigate impacts that cannot be 
avoided. The description and analysis of these alternatives in the EIS 
will inform decision makers, other agencies, and the public about the 
potential for environmental impacts associated with the proposed solar 
facility.

Project Purpose and Need

    The Spring Valley II Solar Project that was submitted as a result 
of TVA's 2022 Carbon-Free RFP would help TVA meet immediate needs for 
additional renewable generating capacity in response to customer 
demands and fulfill the renewable energy goals established in the 2019 
IRP. To meet these goals, 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.

Anticipated Environmental Impacts

    This EIS will contain descriptions of the existing environmental 
and socioeconomic resources within the area that could be affected by 
the proposed solar facility, including the documented historical, 
cultural, and environmental resources. Evaluation of potential 
environmental impacts to these resources will include, but not be 
limited to, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, surface water, 
groundwater, wetlands, floodplains, vegetation, wildlife, threatened 
and endangered species, land use, natural areas and parks and 
recreation, geology, soils, prime farmland, visual resources, noise, 
cultural resources, socioeconomics and environmental justice, solid and 
hazardous waste, public and occupational health and safety, utilities, 
and transportation.
    Based on a preliminary evaluation of these resources, potential 
impacts to vegetation and wildlife due to the conversion of forest of 
various ages to early maintained grass-dominated fields may occur. 
Impacts to water resources would likely be minor with the use of best 
management practices and avoidance of siting project components in or 
near streams, wetlands, and riparian areas to the extent feasible. Land 
use would be impacted by the conversion of farmland to industrial use 
and the elimination of current farming operations, which would also 
result in visual impacts. A listed National Register of Historic Places 
property is located outside of the project footprint but in proximity 
and potential viewshed. Due to the location, there is a high 
probability of additional cultural resources to be present. Additional 
cultural resources surveys will be conducted to identify resources 
within the project area and viewshed and to assess effects.
    Beneficial impacts are expected by facilitating the development of 
renewable energy and thereby increasing local job opportunities, as 
well as improving regional air quality and reducing carbon emissions. 
The EIS will analyze measures that would avoid, minimize, or mitigate 
identified environmental effects. The final range of issues to be 
addressed in the environmental review will be determined, in part, from 
scoping comments received.

Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and 
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action

    TVA requests assistance with identifying any new potential 
alternatives to the proposed action to be considered. TVA also requests 
assistance with identifying any known potential impacts of the proposed 
action that should be analyzed. Information interested parties possess 
which would assist in the analysis of resources is also appreciated. 
The preliminary identification of reasonable alternatives, information, 
and analyses relevant to the proposed action in this notice is not 
meant to be exhaustive or final.

Public Participation and Process

    The public is invited to submit comments on the scope of this EIS 
no later than the date identified in the

[[Page 64508]]

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. Any comments received, including names and addresses, will become 
part of the administrative record and will be available for public 
inspection.

EIS Preparation and Schedule

    After consideration of comments received during the scoping period, 
TVA will develop and distribute a scoping document that will summarize 
public and agency comments that were received and identify the schedule 
for completing the EIS process. Following analysis of the issues, TVA 
will prepare the draft EIS for public review and comment, expected to 
be released mid-2024. TVA anticipates the final EIS in mid-2025. In 
finalizing the EIS and in making its final decision, TVA will consider 
the comments that it receives on the draft.

Rebecca Tolene,
Vice President, Environment and Sustainability.
[FR Doc. 2023-20264 Filed 9-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-08-P