Johnsonville Fossil Plant Decontamination and Deconstruction Final Environmental Assessment

The EA evaluates the potential environmental effects of the future disposition of the physical structures associated with the retired coal-fired plant units, including the powerhouse, coal handling facilities, and surrounding support buildings.

TVA retired all ten units of the coal-fired plant gradually beginning in 2012, with the final four units on Dec. 31, 2017. Prior to that, Johnsonville was the oldest fossil plant in the TVA system.

TVA has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment to consider the potential environmental impacts of the various options for possible deconstruction and demolition at the site. The EA evaluates seven alternatives, including: (A2) assess, close, and secure site, and implement an operations and maintenance program to maintain structures and equipment; (B) selective demolition of outlying facilities including the coal handling facilities; (C) demolish and grade (“Brownfield”) with sub-options (C1) leaving the stack in place, (C2) drop removal of the stack, (C3) controlled removal of the stack, or (C4) hybrid removal of the stack; or (D) to take no action.

TVA’s preferred alternative is C, demolition of Units 1-10 and other structures to three feet below final grade (Brownfield), with C2, C3, or C4 for the stack.

On August 20, 2018 TVA released the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the former Johnsonville Fossil Plant and related structures at its site in Humphreys County, Tennessee. TVA accepted comments on the Draft EA until September 19, 2018. The Draft EA was transmitted to various agencies and TVA consulted with federally recognized tribes. The Draft EA was posted on TVA’s public NEPA review website. A notice of availability including a request for comments on the Draft EA was published in newspapers serving the Humphreys County, Tennessee area. Comments were accepted through September 19, 2018, via TVA’s website, mail, and e-mail. TVA carefully reviewed all of the substantive comments that it received. Comments were summarized and included in Appendix E of the Final EA.