The Tennessee Valley Authority is proposing to make a significant investment in a Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) project that will unleash American energy and power the region's growth. As part of a National Environmental Policy Act review, the public is encouraged to provide input on TVA's Pumped Storage Hydropower Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) posted at tva.com/nepa.
- Alternative A (No Action): TVA would not develop or expand PSH facilities at any of the project sites. TVA would continue to operate the existing Raccoon Mountain PSH with no changes to current operations.
- Alternative B: A new PSH located at Rorex Creek, near Pisgah, Alabama with an energy generation capacity ranging from 1,200-megawatt (MW) up to 1,600 MW (TVA's Preferred Alternative).
- Alternative C: A new PSH located at Widows Creek, near Stevenson and Fabius, Alabama with an energy generation capacity ranging from 1,200-megawatt (MW) up to 1,600 MW.
- Alternative D: An 800-MW expansion of the existing Raccoon Mountain PSH, located near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The PSH stores energy by pumping water to a higher elevation and releasing it back through turbines when demand for energy is high.
To keep the community informed on this proposed project, TVA will host a public meeting from 6 p.m. to. 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2025, at Pisgah High School located at 60 Metcalf Street, Pisgah, Alabama, 35765.
DEIS comments must be received or postmarked no later than July 14, 2025. Submit comments in-person at the public meeting or via email to nepa@tva.gov. Written comments should be sent to: Tennessee Valley Authority, ATTN: Elizabeth Smith, NEPA Specialist, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT-11D, Knoxville, TN 37902.
All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and will be available for public inspection.
TVA currently operates one PSH facility - the 1,700-megawatt Raccoon Mountain near Chattanooga, Tennessee. PSH is a safe, versatile power generation source that provides long-duration energy storage, grid balancing, and peaking power services, as well as emergency black-start capabilities.
About TVA
The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation's largest public power supplier, delivering energy to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA has one of the most diverse energy systems - including nuclear, hydro, solar, gas, and advanced technologies. To prepare for the future, TVA is making significant investments in its power system toward new generation and transmission.
TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. TVA maintains some of the lowest energy costs and highest reliability in the nation. TVA's retail rates are lower than 80 percent of the rest of the nation, while its industrial rates are lower than 95 percent of the top utilities. In addition, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.
Contact
Scott Fiedler
Public Relations
safiedler@tva.gov
423-751-7883
TVA Media Line
Our media staff is available 24 hours a day. If you cannot reach the contact above, please call our media line at 865-632-6000.
For more information
400 West Summit Hill Drive
Knoxville Tennessee
United States 37902
www.tva.com
