Single Nuclear Unit at the Bellefonte Plant Site

Jackson County, Alabama

On May 12, 2010, TVA issued a final supplemental environmental impact statement (final SEIS) of its proposal to operate a single nuclear generating unit at the Bellefonte plant site (Bellefonte site) in Hollywood, Alabama. In the final SEIS, TVA staff identified Alternative B, completion and operation of a single 1,260-megawatt (MW) Babcock and Wilcox (B&W)-designed nuclear unit at the Bellefonte site, as the preferred alternative. In support of the preferred alternative, the transmission system also would be upgraded.

The TVA Board of Directors is expected to make a decision about the proposed nuclear unit at its August 20, 2010, meeting. In making a decision, the Board will consider the information contained in this final SEIS. In addition, the TVA Board will take into account a detailed scoping, estimating, and planning study, which will help establish certainty around the cost estimate and overall schedule, as well as a project risk assessment, which will identify multiple levels of risk and recommend mitigation actions for certain key risks associated with a decision to proceed with either unit. Finally, TVA is conducting a financial analysis to evaluate the impact of completing or constructing a single unit at Bellefonte on rates and revenue requirements and on TVA debt. The results of these studies will serve fully to inform TVA’s decision about locating a nuclear generating unit at the Bellefonte site. TVA will issue a Record of Decision after the Board decision.

Completing Bellefonte Unit 1 would meet a substantial portion of TVA’s future generating needs and provide a low carbon-emitting power source at a significantly lower cost per installed kilowatt than other generation options. Operation of a nuclear unit at the Bellefonte site would supply reliable, low-cost power, afford increased operating flexibility, and provide additional fuel cost stability to reduce risk from volatile fuel prices.

TVA has identified the need for 7,500 MW in capacity from 2010 to 2020 in the medium-load power forecast. Necessary reductions in emissions from TVA coal-fired units have resulted in plans to add emissions controls and consideration of the long-term lay-ups (i.e., mothballing) of 1,000 to 2,000 MW of existing coal generating capacity. Consequently, the generation from existing TVA resources is projected to decrease in the future. TVA anticipates using a mix of resources including energy efficiency and demand response programs, renewable resources, natural gas-fired generation, and nuclear generation to provide the additional future needs.

Background

The Bellefonte site is located in northeast Alabama on 1,600 acres adjacent to Guntersville Reservoir at Tennessee River Mile 392, near the town of Hollywood and the city of Scottsboro (see location map). Construction permits for two 1,200-MW pressurized water reactors (Units 1 and 2) were issued in 1974. TVA halted construction in 1988 in response to decreased power demand. The plant was maintained in deferred status until 2005 when TVA canceled Units 1 and 2 to facilitate consideration of other uses of the site. In 2007, as part of the NuStart Energy Development Consortium’s effort to demonstrate the feasibility of processing a combined license application (COLA), TVA submitted a COLA to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the siting of two AP1000 advanced pressurized water reactors (Units 3 and 4).  However, no decision has been made by TVA on whether to propose to construct and operate Units 3 and 4.

In August 2008, in response to changes in power generation economics since 2005 and other considerations, TVA requested reinstatement of the construction permits for Units 1 and 2 to give TVA the opportunity to evaluate the engineering and economic feasibility of completing those units. Both units are now being maintained and preserved in construction-deferred status.

No decision to build any new generating capacity at the Bellefonte site has been made at this time. TVA prepared the final SEIS to inform decision makers and the public about the potential environmental impacts that would result from a decision to complete and operate a single B&W unit (Alternative B) or construct and operate a new Westinghouse AP1000 unit (Alternative C). The final SEIS also evaluated the potential environmental effects of the No Action Alternative. A number of other alternatives were considered, but not assessed in detail. The potential effects of refurbishing, reenergizing, and upgrading several existing 161-kilovolt (kV) and 500-kV transmission lines and switchyards needed for single-unit operation were also evaluated.

In June 2009, TVA began work on an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), a comprehensive study of alternatives for meeting future electrical energy needs of the Tennessee Valley over the next 20 years. This effort will replace Energy Vision 2020, an IRP completed in 1995 that included an analysis of completing one or two nuclear units at the Bellefonte site. Information about the new IRP is available here. Bringing a nuclear unit online requires a long lead time.  Completing the SEIS for a single unit at the Bellefonte site while simultaneously developing the new IRP will help preserve this as a resource option and better ensure that a new generating unit can be built in time to meet the projected demand for base load energy.

Public Involvement

TVA invited comments on the final SEIS during the 30-day-wait period required by federal regulations (40 CFR 1506.10(b)(2)).  Since the publication of the draft SEIS, TVA made a number of changes in planning assumptions as part of the normal business planning cycle.  TVA also purchased additional wind energy, further refined plans for reducing emissions, and updated its consideration of energy efficiency and demand response programs in the load forecast.  Due to these and other changes in response to comments on the draft SEIS, TVA provided an opportunity for public comment on the final SEIS.  The 30-day period began on May 21, 2010, and ended on June 21, 2010.  Comments were received from nine individuals, one state agency, and one federal agency.  These comments will be taken into consideration in TVA’s decision-making process.

Earlier, TVA accepted comments on the draft SEIS from November 13 through December 28, 2009. A public meeting was held in Scottsboro, Alabama, on December 8, 2008. Comments were received from 35 individuals and four state and federal agencies. Responses to these comments are included in Appendix C of the final SEIS.

 

Documents

The documents below may be accessed by clicking on the underlined link. PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Paper or CD ROM copies may be requested from the contacts listed below.

Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Volumes 1 and 2

Complete Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 1 (PDF, 7.3 mb)
Complete text of the FSEIS, Volume 1.

Complete Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 2 (PDF, 25.6 mb)
Complete text of FSEIS, Volume 2 - Appendices.

Volume 1

Abstract, Summary and Table of Contents (PDF, 498 kb)
Cover page, abstract; summary of the issues, alternatives considered, environmental effects; table of contents; and table of acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols.

Chapter 1: Purpose of and Need for Action (PDF, 537 kb)
Decision to be made; background; need for power; NEPA process description; scoping and issues to be addressed; other pertinent environmental reviews and tiering; and permits, licenses, and approvals.

Chapter 2: Alternatives Including the Proposed Action (PDF, 3.2 mb)
Alternatives considered, comparison of alternatives, impacts summary, and mitigation.

Chapter 3: Nuclear Generation Alternatives on the Bellefonte Site – Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences (PDF, 6 mb)
Detailed description of the affected human and natural environment and a discussion of the environmental consequences to the affected resources under the proposed alternatives.

Chapter 4: Transmission System Alternatives – Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences (PDF, 927 kb)
Detailed description of the affected human and natural environment and the environmental consequences associated with proposed transmission upgrades to support the operation of a nuclear plant.

Chapter 5: Other Effects (PDF, 193 kb)
Unavoidable adverse environmental impacts, relationship between short-term uses and long-term productivity of the human environment, irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources, energy resources and conservation potential.

Chapters 6, 7, and 8: Supporting Information (PDF, 410  kb)
List of preparers, list of agencies to whom copies are sent, and literature cited.

Glossary and Index (PDF, 296 kb)

 

Volume 2

Cover Page, Table of Contents (PDF, 53 kb)

Appendix A (PDF, 5.2 mb)
TVA August 2009 Letter Requesting Deferred Status and NRC January 2010 Letter Authorizing BLN Units 1 and 2 Deferred Status

Appendix B (PDF, 1.5 mb)
NRC Reports on 2009 BLN Inspection for Transition to Deferred Status

Appendix C (PDF, 3.4 mb)
Responses to Agency and Public Comments

Appendix D (PDF, 7.1 kb)
Sensitive Area Review Process

Appendix E (PDF, 7.9 kb)
CORMIX Modeling Results

Appendix F (PDF, 9.8 mb)
Wetlands Field Delineation and Habitat Assessment Forms

Appendix G (PDF, 199 kb)
Reservoir Fish Assemblage Index (RFAI), Reservoir Benthic Index (RBI) Scores, and Historical Fish Species Occurrences

Appendix H (PDF, 17 mb)
Agency Consultation

Appendix I (PDF, 158 kb)
BLN Meteorological Tower Data, April 1, 2006, to September 24, 2008

Appendix J (PDF, 226 kb)
BLN Meteorological Tower Data, Comparison of Data From Different Periods

Appendix K (PDF, 135 kb)
Tornadoes in Jackson County, Alabama, 1980 to 2008

Appendix L (PDF, 148 kb)
Power System Operations Environmental Protection Procedures Right-of-Way Vegetation Management Guidelines

Appendix M (PDF, 146 kb)
Tennessee Valley Authority Environmental Quality Protection Specifications for Transmission Line Construction

Appendix N (PDF, 152 kb)
Tennessee Valley Authority Transmission Construction Guidelines Near Streams

Appendix O (PDF, 204 kb)
State-Listed Animal and Plant Species Present in Areas Affected by Transmission Line Work

Key Related Documents

Final Environmental Statement, Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Units 1 And 2
TVA – May 1974

Volume 1

Volume 2

Final Environmental Statement Related to Construction of Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2, Tennessee Valley Authority, Docket Nos. 50-438 and 50-439
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) – June 1974

Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Units 1 & 2, Final Safety Analysis Report, Rev 30
TVA – 1991

Sections of this document are available on request from TVA (see contact information below).

Energy Vision 2020: Integrated Resource Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, and Record of Decision.
TVA – December 1995

Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Bellefonte Conversion Project.
TVA – October 1997

Volume 1

Volume 2

Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Production of Tritium in a Commercial Light Water Reactor
Department of Energy (DOE) – March 1999

DOE limits access to this environmental impact statement. To request a copy, please contact Denise Freeman by e-mail at denise.freeman@hq.doe.gov or by leaving a message on DOE's toll-free information line at (800) 472-2756.

Record of Decision and Adoption of the Department of Energy Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Production of Tritium in a Commercial Light Water Reactor
TVA – May 2000

Reservoir Operations Study Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision
TVA – May 2004

Final Environmental Assessment Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Redress, Jackson County, Alabama
TVA – January 2006

Final Environmental Assessment Activities at Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Related to Future Site Use, Jackson County Alabama.
TVA – July 2008

Additionally, the following documents are currently available on NRC’s Web site:

Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Units 3 & 4, Combined License Application, Part 3, Environmental Report, Rev 1
TVA – October 2008

Bellefonte Nuclear Plant Units 3 & 4, Combined License Application, Part 2, Final Safety Analysis Report, Rev 1
TVA – January 2009

Contacts

To obtain a copy of the final SEIS, contact:

Ruth M. Horton
NEPA Project Manager
Tennessee Valley Authority
400 West Summit Hill Dr., WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
Phone: (865) 632-3719
E-mail: BLNP@tva.gov

Printed copies of the final SEIS are available for viewing at most public libraries and courthouses in the area.

For general information on the project, contact:

Andrea L. Sterdis
Nuclear Project Manager
Tennessee Valley Authority
1101 Market St., LP 5A
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: (423) 751-7119
E-mail: alsterdis@tva.gov

For more information, call (800) 882-5264, or e-mail tvainfo@tva.gov. In the subject line, type “Bellefonte.” Please include your U.S. Postal Service mailing address.