Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Subsequent License Renewal

Limestone County, Alabama

TVA issued the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN) Record of Decision (ROD) on January 17, 2024, in the Federal Register. On August 11, 2023, TVA issued the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN) Subsequent License Renewal Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) in a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.

The SEIS addresses the potential environmental effects associated with obtaining Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) subsequent license renewals for the BFN Units 1, 2, and 3 located in Limestone County, Alabama. Renewal of the current operating licenses would permit operations for an additional 20 years past the current operating license terms, which expire in 2033, 2034, and 2036 for Units 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The SEIS is being prepared to provide the public and TVA decision-makers with an assessment of the environmental impacts related to the aforementioned NRC license renewal, as well as provide the public an opportunity to participate in the SEIS process.

The purpose of the proposed action is to continue to generate baseload power at the BFN site between 2033 and 2056 through obtaining subsequent license renewals from the NRC to continue operation of all three BFN units. As an integral part of TVA’s current generation portfolio, as of 2020, BFN produces approximately 20 percent of TVA’s average generation capacity. Renewal of the current operating licenses would allow BFN to continue supplying approximately 3,900 megawatts electric (MWe) capacity of safe, clean, reliable, and cost-effective baseload power for an additional 20 years. BFN’s current baseload generation supports future forecasted baseload power needs, as outlined in the TVA’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), by helping to maintain grid stability and generating capacity for TVA’s generation portfolio mix.

TVA published BFN Subsequent License Renewal Draft Supplemental SEIS for a 45-day public comment that ends on March 27, 2023. TVA sought input on the submitted alternatives, information, and analyses and the summary thereof in the SEIS. TVA held public open house on March 14, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Central Time at the Calhoun Community College, 6250 Hwy 31 N, Tanner, AL 35671.