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 Thursday, 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.