Document Type: EA-Administrative Record Index Field: Final Environmental Assessment Project Name: Allen Fossil Plant Emission Control Project Project Number: 2013-33 ALLEN FOSSIL PLANT EMISSION CONTROL PROJECT FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Shelby County, Tennessee Prepared by: TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Chattanooga, TN August 2014 To request further information, contact: Ashley R. Farless, PE, AICP NEPA Compliance Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone: 423-751-2361 Fax: 423.751.7011 E-mail: [email protected] This page intentionally left blank Contents Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 – PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION ......................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction and Background ................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Decision to be Made ................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................... 1 1.4 Summary of Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 2 1.4.1 Gas Plant Construction and Operation .............................................................................. 2 1.4.2 Gas Pipeline Construction and Operation ......................................................................... 4 1.4.3 Water Requirements .......................................................................................................... 4 1.4.4 Transmission System ........................................................................................................ 4 1.5 Related Environmental Reviews and Consultation Requirements .......................................... 6 1.6 Scope of the Environmental Assessment ................................................................................ 6 1.7 Public and Agency Involvement ............................................................................................... 7 1.8 Necessary Permits or Licenses ............................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 2 - ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Description of Alternatives ....................................................................................................... 9 2.1.1 Alternative A – No Action Alternative ................................................................................ 9 2.1.2 Alternative B – Retire ALF, Construct a Natural Gas-Fired Facility (CT/CC) .................. 10 2.1.2.1 Retire ALF ................................................................................................................. 10 2.1.2.2 Components of the CT/CC Facility ........................................................................... 10 2.1.2.3 Construction Activities ............................................................................................... 17 2.2 Alternatives Considered But Eliminated From Further Discussion ........................................ 19 2.2.1 Alternative C – Emission Controls, Scrubbers ................................................................ 19 2.2.2 Alternative D – Retire ALF, Rely on Energy Efficiency ................................................... 23 2.2.3 Alternative E – Convert ALF to Natural Gas Fuel............................................................ 24 2.2.4 Alternative F – Retire ALF, Construct a Renewable Energy Source (Wind or Solar) .............................................................................................................................. 25 2.2.5 Alternative G – Retire ALF, Upgrade TVA’s Transmission System/Rely on Power Purchase Agreements ......................................................................................... 26 2.2.6 Alternative H – Convert ALF to Renewable Biomass Fuel .............................................. 26 2.2.7 Alternative Locations for Proposed CT/CC Plant ............................................................ 27 2.3 Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................................................... 29 2.4 Identification of Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 29 2.5 The Preferred Alternative ....................................................................................................... 31 CHAPTER 3 – AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ................................................................................................................. 33 3.1 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................... 33 3.1.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 33 3.1.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 33 3.1.2.1 Alternative A – No Action .......................................................................................... 33 3.1.2.2 Alternative B – Retire ALF, Construct a Natural Gas-Fired Facility (CT/CC) ........... 34 3.2 Climate Change ..................................................................................................................... 37 3.2.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 37 3.2.1.1 Southeastern United States ...................................................................................... 37 3.2.1.2 Greenhouse Gases ................................................................................................... 37 3.2.1.3 Greenhouse Gases and Electric Utilities .................................................................. 38 3.2.1.4 Biogas ....................................................................................................................... 38 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 39 Final Environmental Assessment i Allen Fossil Plant Emission Control Project 3.2.2.1 Alternative A – No Action .......................................................................................... 39 3.2.2.2 Alternative B – Retire ALF, Construct a Natural Gas-Fired Facility (CT/CC) ........... 39 3.3 Land Use ................................................................................................................................ 42 3.3.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 42 3.3.1.1 Proposed CT/CC Facility .......................................................................................... 42 3.3.1.2 Natural Gas Pipeline ................................................................................................. 43 3.4 Prime Farmland ...................................................................................................................... 46 3.4.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 47 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 47 3.4.2.1 Alternative A – No Action .......................................................................................... 47 3.4.2.2 Alternative B – Retire ALF, Construct a Natural Gas-Fired Facility (CT/CC) ........... 48 3.5 Vegetation .............................................................................................................................. 48 3.5.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 48 3.5.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 49 3.5.2.1 Alternative B – Retire ALF, Construct a Natural Gas-Fired Facility (CT/CC) ........... 49 3.6 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................... 49 3.6.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 49 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 50 3.6.2.1 Alternative A – No Action .......................................................................................... 50 3.6.2.2 Alternative B – Retire ALF, Construct a Natural Gas-Fired Facility (CT/CC) ........... 50 3.7 Aquatic Ecology ..................................................................................................................... 51 3.7.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 51 3.7.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 53 3.7.2.1 No Action Alternative................................................................................................. 53 3.7.2.2 Alternative B – Retire ALF, Construct a Natural Gas-Fired Facility (CT/CC)