Notice2023-20264
Spring Valley II 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 19, 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 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64506-64508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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: <a href="https://www.tva.gov/nepa">https://www.tva.gov/nepa</a>, or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#18767d6879586c6e79367f776e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c7a9a2b7a687b3b1a6e9a0a8b1">[email protected]</span></a>. Please note
that TVA encourages comments be submitted electronically.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Taylor Johnson by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4f253b2c2e3b2a3c0f3b392e61282039"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddb7a9bebca9b8ae9da9abbcf3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a>, 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 <a href="https://www.tva.gov/nepa">https://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 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
<a href="https://www.tva.gov/nepa">https://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.
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
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