TVA Seeks Comments on Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Environmental Statement

April 6, 2007

SPRING CITY, Tenn. TVA is reviewing potential environmental impacts of the possible completion and operation of Unit 2 at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant near Spring City and has made a draft supplemental environmental impact statement available for public comment.

An open house on the draft supplemental environmental impact statement will be held April 17. The open house is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rhea County High School in Evensville.

TVA is currently conducting a detailed cost and scheduling study on the feasibility of completing Unit 2 to help meet growing demand for power and to maximize the use of an existing asset. Unit 2 was more than half complete when construction was halted in 1985.

Under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, TVA prepared the draft supplemental environmental impact statement to update environmental reports previously prepared for the construction of the unit. Along with the detailed engineering and feasibility study currently under way, the environmental review will help TVA decide whether to complete the second unit at the plant. Unit 1 at Watts Bar began commercial operation in 1996.

The draft supplemental environmental impact statement is available here and also in many local libraries. It will be available at the open house April 17.

All written comments must be received by May 14. Comments may be submitted by mail to Ruth Horton, 400 Summit Hill Drive (WT-11D), Knoxville, TN 37902; on the internet; or fax to (865) 632-3451.

Any comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and will be available for public inspection.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.7 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom