By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
PISGAH, AL — The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has unveiled plans for a significant investment in renewable energy with a proposed pumped storage hydropower (PSH) facility in Jackson County, Alabama. The project, estimated to cost between $2 billion and $5 billion, aims to enhance energy storage and grid reliability across the region.
The preferred site for the facility is near Rorex Creek in Pisgah, with alternative locations under consideration at Widows Creek near Stevenson and Fabius, as well as an expansion of the existing Raccoon Mountain PSH facility near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The proposed PSH facility would have a capacity ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 megawatts. It operates by pumping water to a higher elevation during periods of low energy demand and releasing it through turbines to generate electricity when demand peaks. This method provides long-duration energy storage and supports grid stability.
TVA is seeking public input on the project as part of its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pisgah High School. Comments can also be submitted via email to nepa@tva.gov or mailed to TVA’s Knoxville office by July 14.
The final decision on the project is expected in December, following the consideration of public feedback and environmental assessments