The Tennessee Valley Authority is seeking public input on a proposed hydropower plant near Pisgah.
TVA says it will make a “significant investment” to build the plant, saying a new pumped hydro facility in Jackson County is expected to cost between $2-$5 billion.
The proposed plant on Sand Mountain “will unleash American energy and power the region’s growth,” TVA said in a news release.
TVA is seeking public input on four options:
- No development or facilities on any of the project site.
- A new Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) plant at Rorex Creek, near Pisgah, with an energy generation capacity of 1,200-1,600 megawatts.
- A new PSH at Widows Creek near Stevenson and Fabius, also with a capacity of 1,200-1,600 megawatts.
- An 800-megawatt expansion of the existing Raccoon Mountain PSH near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In the release, TVA said option No. 2 is its preferred alternative.
TVA will host a public meeting on Thursday, June 12, at Pisgah High School from 6-8 p.m. In addition, comments can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Elizabeth Smith, NEPA Specialist, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT-11D, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Comments must be postmarked by July 14.
