FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PARADISE FOSSIL PLANT UNITS 1 AND 2 MERCURY AND AIR TOXICS STANDARDS COMPLIANCE PROJECT Muhlenberg County, Kentucky Prepared by: TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Knoxville, Tennessee November 2013 To request further information, contact: Charles P. Nicholson NEPA Interface Tennessee Valley Authority 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D Knoxville, Tennessee 37902–1499 E–mail: [email protected] Table of Contents Table of Contents 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION ..................................................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Purpose and Need .................................................................................................................... 1 1.3. Location and Description .......................................................................................................... 2 1.3.1. Paradise Fossil Plant ......................................................................................................... 2 1.3.2. Existing Coal Generation and Support Facilities ............................................................... 2 1.4. Related Environmental Reviews and Initiatives ....................................................................... 5 1.5. Scope of the Environmental Assessment ................................................................................. 5 1.6. Public and Agency Involvement ............................................................................................... 6 1.7. Necessary Permits or Licenses ................................................................................................ 6 2.0 ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................................................................... 9 2.1. Summary of Alternatives .......................................................................................................... 9 2.1.1. Alternative A – No Action Alternative ................................................................................. 9 2.1.2. Alternative B – Install and Operate Pulse Jet Fabric Filter Systems ................................. 9 2.1.3. Alternative C – Construct and Operate Combustion Turbine/Combined Cycle Plant ...................................................................................................................... 11 2.2. Detailed Description of TVA’s Action Alternatives .................................................................. 11 2.2.1. Alternative B – Install and Operate Pulse Jet Fabric Filter Systems ............................... 11 2.2.1.1. Hydrated Lime Injection ............................................................................................. 14 2.2.1.2. Fly Ash Management ................................................................................................. 14 2.2.1.3. Transmission and Electrical System Components .................................................... 14 2.2.1.4. Construction Activities ............................................................................................... 14 2.2.2. Alternative C – Construct and Operate Combustion Turbine/Combined Cycle Plant ...................................................................................................................... 17 2.2.2.1. Emission Monitoring and Controls ............................................................................. 18 2.2.2.2. Natural Gas and Fuel Oil Supply, Delivery and Storage ........................................... 18 2.2.2.3. Transmission and Electrical System Components .................................................... 20 2.2.2.4. Construction Activities ............................................................................................... 20 2.3. Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis ............................................ 21 2.3.1. Emission Control Alternatives .......................................................................................... 21 2.3.1.1. Wet Electrostatic Precipitators .................................................................................. 21 2.3.1.2. Dry Electrostatic Precipitators ................................................................................... 23 2.3.2. Biomass Conversion for PAF Units 1 and 2 .................................................................... 23 2.3.3. Generation Replacement by Transmission Upgrades ..................................................... 23 2.3.4. Generation Replacement by Increased Efficiency ........................................................... 24 2.3.5. Generation Replacement with Wind and Solar Renewable Energy Sources ........................................................................................................................... 24 2.3.6. Natural Gas Pipeline Corridor Alternatives ...................................................................... 24 2.3.7. Fly Ash Management Alternatives ................................................................................... 24 2.4. Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................................................... 25 2.5. Preferred Alternative ............................................................................................................... 27 2.6. Summary of Mitigation Measures and BMPs ......................................................................... 28 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ........................ 30 3.1. Air Quality ............................................................................................................................... 30 3.1.1. Affected Environment ....................................................................................................... 30 3.1.2. Environmental Consequences ......................................................................................... 30 Final Environmental Assessment i Paradise Units 1 and 2 3.1.2.1. Alternative A – No Action .......................................................................................... 30 3.1.2.2. Alternative B – Install and Operate Pulse Jet Fabric Filter Systems ........................ 30 3.1.2.3. Alternative C – Construct and Operate Combustion Turbine/Combined Cycle Plant ................................................................................. 31 3.1.2.4. Cumulative Affects .................................................................................................... 34 3.1.2.5. Mitigation Measures and BMPs ................................................................................ 35 3.2. Climate Change ..................................................................................................................... 35 3.2.1. Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 35 3.2.2. Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 35 3.2.2.1. Alternative A – No Action .......................................................................................... 35 3.2.2.2. Alternative B – Install and Operate Pulse Jet Fabric Filter Systems ........................ 36 3.2.2.3. Alternative C – Construct and Operate Combustion Turbine/Combined Cycle Plant ................................................................................. 36 3.2.2.4. Cumulative Affects .................................................................................................... 37 3.2.2.5. Mitigation Measures and BMPs ................................................................................ 37 3.3. Vegetation .............................................................................................................................. 37 3.3.1. Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 37 3.3.2. Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 39 3.3.2.1. Alternative A – No Action .......................................................................................... 39 3.3.2.2. Alternative B – Install and Operate Pulse Jet Fabric Filter Systems ........................ 39 3.3.2.3. Alternative C – Construct and Operate Combustion Turbine/Combined Cycle Plant ................................................................................. 39 3.3.2.4. Cumulative Impacts ................................................................................................... 41 3.3.2.5. Mitigation Measures and BMPs ................................................................................ 41 3.4. Wildlife .................................................................................................................................... 41 3.4.1. Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 41 3.4.2. Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 42 3.4.2.1. Alternative A – No Action .......................................................................................... 42 3.4.2.2. Alternative B – Install and Operate Pulse Jet Fabric Filter Systems ........................ 42