Notice2026-00570
Allen Aeroderivative Combustion Turbine 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
January 14, 2026
Issuing agencies
Tennessee Valley Authority
Abstract
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has decided to implement the preferred alternative identified in its Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS; Document ID EISX-455-00-000-1730803146) for the construction and operation of six aeroderivative combustion turbine (CT) units at its existing Allen CT facility located in Memphis, Tennessee. Under the preferred alternative, TVA would construct and operate the new units to generate approximately 200 megawatts (MW) of power to provide dispatchable generation to support the continued system load growth experienced in the TVA power service area and increase the flexibility and reliability of TVA's power system by improving TVA's transmission system stability in western Tennessee.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1595-1597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00570]
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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Allen Aeroderivative Combustion Turbine Project
AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.
ACTION: Record of Decision.
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SUMMARY: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has decided to implement the
preferred alternative identified in its Final Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS; Document ID EISX-455-00-000-1730803146) for the
construction and operation of six aeroderivative combustion turbine
(CT) units at its existing Allen CT facility located in Memphis,
Tennessee. Under the preferred alternative, TVA would construct and
operate the new units to generate approximately 200 megawatts (MW) of
power to provide dispatchable generation to support the continued
system load growth experienced in the TVA power service area and
increase the flexibility and reliability of TVA's power system by
improving TVA's transmission system stability in western Tennessee.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Higdon, NEPA Specialist,
Tennessee Valley Authority, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville,
Tennessee 37902; telephone 865-632-8051; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7c110f14151b1813123c080a1d521b130a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b263823222c2f24250b3f3d2a652c243d">[email protected]</span></a>. The
Final EIS, this Record of Decision, and other project documents are
available on TVA's website at <a href="https://www.tva.gov/allenct">https://www.tva.gov/allenct</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is provided in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S. Code
[U.S.C.] Sec. Sec. 4321 et seq.) and TVA's NEPA procedures (18 CFR
part 1318).
TVA is a corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States
that provides electricity for 153 local power companies (LPC) serving
approximately 10 million people as well as directly serving commercial,
industrial, and government customers in the Tennessee Valley--an
80,000-square-mile region comprised of Tennessee and parts of Virginia,
North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky.
Planning Basis and Assumptions
In 2019, TVA completed its IRP and associated IRP EIS. The 2019 IRP
identified various energy resource options that TVA may pursue to meet
the energy needs of the Tennessee Valley region over a 20-year planning
period. The strategic direction established by the 2019 IRP and results
from recommended near-term actions formed the basis for TVA's asset
strategy, which continues to support affordable, reliable, and cleaner
energy for customers. The 2019 IRP recommendation optimizes TVA's
ability to create a more flexible power-generation system that can
successfully meet changing load demands and integrate increasing
amounts of
[[Page 1596]]
renewable energy sources while ensuring reliability. TVA's target power
supply mix includes firm, dispatchable power, which refers to a
generating resource that can adjust power output up or down on demand
within the specific operating limitations of that resource, thus
increasing system reliability and resiliency. The 2019 IRP remains
valid and continues to guide future generation planning until TVA
updates its IRP and the TVA Board of Directors approves new
recommendations.
The 2019 IRP identified the need for up to 5,200 MW of new CT units
by 2028. Aeroderivative CT units are highly efficient and can be
operated year-round to meet the fluctuating demand on the power system,
including overnight, during cold pre-dawn winter mornings, and during
warm summer evenings as solar generation fades.
Alternatives Considered
TVA prepared the Final EIS pursuant to NEPA to assess the
environmental effects associated with constructing and operating the
new units at the existing facility site, utilizing existing natural gas
and transmission infrastructure to meet system-wide generation demands.
The Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Final EIS was published in the
Federal Register on July 18, 2025.
In the Final EIS, TVA assessed two alternatives: Alternative A--No
Action, and Alternative B--Construction and operation of six
aeroderivative CT units at the Allen CT facility. In the Final EIS, TVA
identified Alternative B as its preferred alternative and summarized
the other alternatives it considered but eliminated from detailed
evaluation.
Alternative A: No Action Alternative--Under the No Action
Alternative, TVA would not construct six new aero CT units or the
associated support facilities to provide generation of approximately
200 MW at the ACT Plant. TVA would continue to operate two existing
units (units 19 and 20) at the ACT Plant on a limited basis, consistent
with the 2021 Paradise and Colbert Combustion Turbine EA. This
alternative does not meet the purpose and need of TVA's proposed
action; however, consistent with the requirements of NEPA, it is
included in this evaluation because it represents current baseline
conditions against which the proposed action alternative is compared.
Alternative B: Construction and operation of six aeroderivative CT
units at the Allen CT facility--Under Alternative B, TVA would
construct and operate six aero CT units (GE LM2500s) generating
approximately 200 MW of power and associated support facilities. TVA
would continue to operate units 19 and 20 on a limited basis as well.
At least four of the new units would have black-start capability,
meaning the ability to restore power without needing to rely upon
inputs from the external electric power transmission system. The new
units would support fast startup dispatching and synchronous condensing
for transmission system stability in western Tennessee. TVA would
install control systems to minimize and monitor air emissions of the
new units; reduction of emissions from each unit would be achieved
through a dry-low emissions combustion system and a selective catalytic
reduction system. TVA would use potable water obtained from the
existing public supply for inlet air evaporative cooling in summer
ambient temperatures.
Alternative B would meet TVA's purpose and need to support
continued load growth within the Tennessee Valley and increase the
flexibility and reliability of the TVA power system by improving TVA's
transmission system stability in western Tennessee. These improvements
would also help TVA expand and integrate renewable energy resources
onto its transmission grid. Alternative B also aligns with the 2019 IRP
generation target power supply mix, which allows for the addition of up
to 5,200 MW of CT by 2028.
Summary of Environmental Effects
The anticipated environmental effects of the No Action Alternative
and Alternative B are described in detail in the Final EIS and
summarized in Table 2.2-1. This section summarizes the anticipated
environmental effects that would occur.
Under the No Action Alternative, TVA would not construct or operate
new aeroderivative CT units at the Allen CT facility. The No Action
Alternative would avoid the adverse effects associated with
constructing and operating new units at the existing facility. For this
reason, TVA identifies this alternative as environmentally preferable.
However, TVA would be required to obtain capacity from other sources to
maintain reserves, if possible. Without peaking power available when
needed, TVA would purchase the power from the cheapest market source, a
portion of which would likely be natural gas. Relying on purchased
power from a market source could potentially result in adverse effects
to TVA generation system reliability and increased costs to customers.
Incorporation of renewable energy sources would be limited without the
addition of the reliable dispatchable generation.
As outlined in the Final EIS, TVA's proposed action under
Alternative B would have no effect on the following resources:
Floodplains, Wetlands, Land Use, Geology/Soils, Vegetation, Prime
Farmland, Aquatic Ecology, Visual Resources, Recreation, and Cultural
and Historic Resources. In the Final EIS, TVA described minor and
temporary effects on the following resources: Groundwater, Natural
Areas, Threatened and Endangered Species, Transportation, Public Health
and Safety, and Solid and Hazardous Waste. Minor, long-term effects
anticipated are Socioeconomics, Climate Change, Utilities, Surface
Water Resources, and Noise. Moderate, long-term effects to air quality
are anticipated and are discussed in the Final EIS. Generally,
constructing and operating the new aeroderivative CT units at the
existing CT facility would minimize new ground disturbances and utilize
existing natural gas and transmission infrastructure, resulting in
fewer environmental effects.
In the Final EIS, TVA also describes beneficial effects to
Utilities resulting from implementing Alternative B. Overall, the added
dispatchable generation capacity as a result of Alternative B would
have potential long-term beneficial effects by helping to ensure that
TVA can reliably meet required year-round generation, maximum capacity
system demands, and planning reserve margin targets while facilitating
the integration of renewable energy onto the electric grid. The
synchronous condensing and black-start capabilities of the units would
also benefit TVA's transmission system by improving reliability and
flexibility.
Public Involvement
TVA initiated a 30-day public scoping period on October 12, 2023,
when it published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register announcing
the preparation of an environmental document (88 FR 70693, October 12,
2023). TVA also announced the project and requested public input in
news releases; notices printed in relevant area newspapers; in letters
or messages to federal, state, and local agencies and federally
recognized Indian tribes; and on its public web page (<a href="https://www.tva.com/allenct">https://www.tva.com/allenct</a>). TVA held a public scoping meeting on October 24,
2023, attended by 35 individuals. TVA also hosted a public webinar.
During the scoping period, TVA received 19 submissions from members of
the public, federal agencies, and various organizations.
[[Page 1597]]
The NOA of the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register on
March 14, 2025, initiating a 45-day public comment period that ended on
April 28, 2025 (90 FR 12158, March 14, 2025). The availability of the
Draft EIS and request for comments were announced in a news release,
newspaper advertisements, and letters or messages to interagency
partners, and on social media and TVA's website. Postcards were mailed
to over 9,000 addresses within five miles of the project area as well.
TVA held a public meeting about the Draft EIS on April 10, 2025,
attended by over 110 individuals. TVA also held a public webinar during
the comment period. In total, TVA received 210 submissions from the
public, local officials, state and federal agencies, and community
organizations during the comment period. Responses to these comments
are included in Appendix A of the Final EIS.
Decision
TVA has considered the alternatives, information, analyses,
material in the record determined to be relevant, and comments
submitted by federal and state governments and public commenters for
consideration in developing the Final EIS. TVA has decided to implement
Alternative B of the Final EIS to construct and operate six new
aeroderivative CT units at its existing Allen CT facility to generate
approximately 200 MW of dispatchable power. This alternative best
achieves TVA's purpose and need to meet the growing system demand and
load growth experience over the past few years. The addition of these
units to TVA's fleet also aligns with the 2019 IRP recommendation to
develop new dispatchable generation sources and to enhance system
reliability and flexibility.
Mitigation
TVA would employ standard practices, routine measures, and other
project-specific measures to avoid and minimize effects to resources
from the implementation of Alternative B. TVA would also implement
minimization and mitigation measures based on best management
practices, permit requirements, and adherence to erosion and sediment
control plans to minimize erosion during construction, operation, and
maintenance activities. As discussed in the Final EIS, TVA would also
continue (under a prior agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service) to monitor the project area for the presence of potential
nesting sites for least terns and, if nests are found, would conduct no
activities within 300 feet of the nests.
Authority: 18 CFR 1318.405.
Dated: September 25, 2025.
Donald A. Moul,
President and Chief Executive Officer.
Editorial Note: This document was received for publication by
the Office of the Federal Register on January 12, 2026.
[FR Doc. 2026-00570 Filed 1-13-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-08-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 14, 2026.
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