TVA Initiates Study to Support a Stronger American Energy System

Jul 20, 2026

Contact: Scott Fiedler

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Authority released a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate the environmental effects of transmission system activities needed to support the growing volume of generator interconnection requests across TVA’s multistate service area. This effort supports TVA’s commitment to strengthening American energy reliability, promoting long-term energy affordability, and helping maintain the nation’s energy dominance through a resilient and modern grid.

The PEIS will establish a programmatic, bounded framework designed to create efficient, consistent, and predictable environmental reviews for interconnection-related transmission activities under TVA’s Large Generator Interconnection Procedures, Small Generator Interconnection Procedures, and Expedited Resource Addition Study. The review also enables TVA to conduct tiered, site-specific analyses where needed.

The draft PEIS is available for review at tva.com/nepa.

Supporting the Region’s Growing Energy Demands

The Tennessee Valley is experiencing rapid growth in electricity demand fueled by population increases, industrial development, data services and advanced manufacturing. As new generation sources seek to connect to the grid, ranging from distributed energy resources to large utility-scale facilities, TVA must evaluate and, when necessary, upgrade or construct new transmission infrastructure to maintain reliability.

This PEIS enhances TVA’s ability to continue delivering reliable, affordable American energy, helping keep electricity costs low for families and businesses while responsibly managing environmental impacts. Strengthening the power grid is essential to supporting the region’s growth and the nation’s long-term energy leadership.

Asset Buildout to Support Reliability, Affordability, and Economic Growth

TVA is building for the future. Following its FY 2025 investment of more than $4.6 billion, TVA plans to invest $4.2 billion in FY 2026 on new generation and existing power system assets, including transmission. Over the next three fiscal years, TVA expects to invest a total of $11 billion.

These investments are critical to ensuring reliable service, maintaining affordable electricity rates, and supporting long-term strength in the American energy system. The PEIS will incorporate standardized screening tools, bounding environmental criteria, and siting guidance to help TVA deploy needed infrastructure quickly, responsibly, and cost-effectively.

Public Input Requested

Comments on the draft NOI can be submitted by August 14, 2026, and may be submitted online at tva.com/nepa, emailed to [email protected], or mailed to Elizabeth Smith, NEPA Specialist, Tennessee Valley Authority, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11B, Knoxville, TN 37902. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the project administrative record and will be available for public inspection.

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, coal, gas, and advanced technologies. 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 and deriving virtually all of its revenue from electricity sales. TVA maintains some of the lowest energy costs and highest reliability in the nation. TVA’s residential rates are lower than those paid by almost 80% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities, and its industrial rates are lower than those paid by over 90% of customers of the top 100 U.S. 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. Learn more at tva.com.

Contact

Scott Fiedler
Public Relations
[email protected]
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.