MOULTON, Ala. – The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking for public input on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the North Alabama Utility-Scale Solar Project in Lawrence County. Details of the review are available in a draft Environmental Assessment at https://www.tva.com/nepa.  

In January 2019, TVA announced that it holds a two-year purchase option on 3,000 acres in Lawrence County to study the feasibility of building a large solar farm in order to continue reducing its carbon footprint. 

The purpose of this EIS is to address the potential environmental effects associated with constructing, operating, maintaining, and decommissioning the solar facility.

The draft EIS includes two alternatives: a No Action Alternative and an Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, TVA would not execute the purchase under the Purchase Option Agreement, and TVA would not develop a solar facility at this location. Under the Action Alternative, TVA would execute the purchase under the Purchase Option Agreement for the Lawrence County, Alabama, property.

Submit comments to esmith14@tva.gov or mail comments to Elizabeth Smith at Tennessee Valley Authority, ATTN: Elizabeth Smith, NEPA Specialist, 400 W Summit Hill Dr., WT 11-B, Knoxville, TN 37902. To be considered, comments must be postmarked by March 15, 2021. Please note any comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the project administrative record and will be available for public inspection.

To educate the public about the project, TVA will hold a virtual information session on Feb. 11, 2021, beginning at 6 p.m. CST. Join the meeting through TVA’s website. A recording of the session will be available for viewing through the end of the comment period.

For more information about TVA and its 87-year mission of service to the Tennessee Valley, click here.