Notice2023-18757
Hillsboro III Solar Project
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 1, 2023
Issuing agencies
Tennessee Valley Authority
Abstract
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the purchase of electricity generated by the proposed Hillsboro III Solar Project in Lawrence County, Alabama. The EIS will assess the potential environmental effects of constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed 200- megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) solar facility. The proposed 200 MW AC solar facility would occupy approximately 1,500 acres of the 3,761-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.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60529-60530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18757]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Hillsboro III Solar Project
AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the purchase of electricity
generated by the proposed Hillsboro III Solar Project in Lawrence
County, Alabama. The EIS will assess the potential environmental
effects of constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed 200-
megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) solar facility. The proposed 200
MW AC solar facility would occupy approximately 1,500 acres of the
3,761-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 2, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Elizabeth Smith, NEPA
Specialist, Tennessee Valley Authority, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT
11B, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Comments may be submitted online at:
<a href="http://www.tva.gov/nepa">www.tva.gov/nepa</a>, or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bad4dfcadbfaceccdb94ddd5cc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80eee5f0e1c0f4f6e1aee7eff6">[email protected]</span></a>. Please note that TVA
encourages comments submitted electronically.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Smith by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#147167797d607c2520546062753a737b62"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8feafce2e6fbe7bebbcffbf9eea1e8e0f9">[email protected]</span></a>, by phone at (865) 632-3053, 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 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. Customer
demand for cleaner energy prompted TVA to release a Request for
Proposal (RFP) for renewable energy resources (2022 Carbon-Free RFP).
TVA is considering entering into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)
with Urban Grid Solar to purchase 200 MW AC of power generated by the
proposed Hillsboro III Solar Project, hereafter referred to as the
Project. The proposed 200 MW AC solar facility would occupy
approximately 1,500 acres of the 3,761-acre Project Study Area which is
located entirely in Lawrence County, Alabama. The project site is north
of Wheeler, Alabama along US Highway 72 Alternate between Courtland and
Hillsboro, Alabama. The project site is mostly farmland with areas of
woody wetlands, deciduous forest, and hay/pasture. The land surplus is
to accommodate relocating the array if any areas need to be avoided as
a result of the NEPA review. A map showing the project site is
available at <a href="http://www.tva.gov/nepa">www.tva.gov/nepa</a>.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
In addition to a No Action Alternative, TVA will evaluate the
action alternative of purchasing power from the proposed Hillsboro III
Solar Project under the terms of a PPA. In evaluating alternatives, TVA
considered other solar proposals, prior to selecting the Hillsboro III
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 Hillsboro 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 an alternative
footprint so that impacts to cultural and/or biological resources could
be avoided. 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. TVA solicits comments on whether there are
other alternatives that should be assessed in the EIS.
Project Purpose and Need
The Hillsboro III Solar Project that was submitted as a result of
TVA's 2022 Carbon-Free RFP will 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. This EIS will identify the purpose and need
of the project and 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
[[Page 60530]]
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 deciduous
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. This would also
result in visual impacts. 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 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
Public scoping is integral to the process for implementing NEPA and
ensures that issues are identified early and properly studied, issues
of little significance do not consume substantial time and effort, and
the analysis of those issues is thorough and balanced. 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 EIS. 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 this EIS
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 <a href="http://www.tva.gov/nepa">www.tva.gov/nepa</a>, 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 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 fall of 2024. TVA
anticipates the final EIS in fall 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. 2023-18757 Filed 8-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-08-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 1, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.