• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News
  • Subscribe

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds


TVA releases draft power generation plan

Posted at 11:19 am February 20, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Valley Authority has released a draft version of a plan that evaluates its options to meet its power generation needs during the next 20 years, and it is accepting public comments.

Under development since early 2018, the draft of the Integrated Resource Plan was released for public review on Friday.

The Integrated Resource Plan is a power planning roadmap, TVA said in a press release Wednesday. It examines a variety of economic, regulatory, and market-driven scenarios and strategies—both within and outside TVA’s control—to help the public utility respond to changing energy demands while continuing to provide reliable power at the lowest possible cost, the press release said.

“The 2019 IRP emphasizes the importance of flexibility in our generation in response to the changing energy marketplace,” said Laura Campbell, TVA vice president of enterprise planning. “TVA looked at a wide range of possible futures, and flexibility is important in every case to ensure a reliable power supply.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Bill Johnson, carbon emissions, coal, energy conservation, energy demand, energy efficiency, environmental impact statement, Hunter Hydas, Integrated Resource Plan, Laura Campbell, natural gas, power generation, renewable generation, Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA

(For members) Retiring Bull Run, Paradise could save millions, more than $1 billion in ‘lifetime costs’

Posted at 1:49 pm February 18, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Valley Authority's Bull Run Fossil Plant is pictured above in Claxton on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The coal-burning Bull Run Fossil Plant in Claxton and Paradise Fossil Plant Unit 3 in Kentucky are not economical to operate, and retiring them will offer a savings of about $320 million and avoid more than $1 billion in capital costs, the Tennessee Valley Authority said Thursday.

The TVA Board of Directors voted 6-1 to close Paradise Unit 3 and unanimously agreed to close Bull Run during a meeting in Chattanooga on Thursday. Paradise could close by December 2020, and Bull Run is expected to close by December 2023.

The Bull Run and Paradise closures will be the first 1,700 megawatts of coal plant retirements of the 2,600 megawatts that could be retired through 2033 under a 2015 integrated resource plan, TVA President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Johnson told the board.

The rest of this in-depth story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or recent contributor to Oak Ridge Today. 

Already a member? Great! Thank you! Sign in here.

Not a member? No problem! Subscribe here:

Basic

  • Basic monthly subscription ($5 per month)—access premium content
  • Basic annual subscription ($60 per year)—access premium content

Pro

  • Pro monthly subscription ($10 per month)—access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and join a private story discussion page
  • Pro annual subscription ($100 per year)—save $20 per year, access premium content, get breaking news emails first, and join a private story discussion page

Temporary

  • Temporary access ($3 per week for two weeks)

If you prefer to send a check, you may do so by mailing one to:

Oak Ridge Today
P.O. Box 6064
Oak Ridge, TN 37831

Note: Most news stories on Oak Ridge Today are free, brought to you by Oak Ridge Today with help from our advertisers, sponsors, and subscribers. Some are considered premium content. This story is premium content. Premium content can include in-depth, investigative, and exclusive stories.

Filed Under: Federal, Federal, Front Page News, Government, Premium Content, Slider Tagged With: Anderson County Commission, baseload generation, Bill Johnson, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Bull Run Fossil Plant, carbon-free sources, coal, coal plant, coal plant retirement, coal-fired unit, energy efficiency, John Thomas, Kenny Allen, natural gas, natural gas combined-cycle plant, nuclear power, Oak Ridge City Council, Paradise Fossil Plant, Paradise Fossil Plant Unit 3, Paradise Unit 3, renewable energy, Ron Walter, Scott Turnbow, Tennessee Valley Authority, Tracy Wandell, TVA, USEC, Watts Bar Nuclear Plant

TVA evaluating power generators, including Bull Run Fossil Plant

Posted at 6:13 pm August 27, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Valley Authority's Bull Run Fossil Plant is pictured above in Claxton on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Tennessee Valley Authority’s Bull Run Fossil Plant is pictured above in Claxton on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 8:50 p.m.

An assessment by the Tennessee Valley Authority will evaluate its power generators, including the coal-burning Bull Run Fossil Plant in Claxton, and determine whether the plants will be needed in the future, a spokesperson said Monday.

The focus of the assessment, which could take three to six months, will be on plants that are the least efficient, least cost-effective, and expected to have the highest future costs, TVA spokesperson Scott Brooks said. Plants that fit into that category are the Bull Run Fossil Plant, the one remaining unit (Unit 3) at the Paradise Fossil Plant in western Kentucky near Drakesboro, and combustion turbines (gas turbines), Brooks said. The assessment will look at whether TVA needs Bull Run or Paradise or combustion turbines in the future.

No decisions have been made yet, Brooks said.

He said TVA is assessing its entire generating asset base, including coal, nuclear, natural gas, and hydropower. The public utility is always evaluating its energy mix and making decisions, Brooks said. TVA President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Johnson cited a “mismatch” between energy supply and customer demand, according to S&P Global, which attended a quarterly TVA board meeting in Knoxville on Wednesday.

The results of the assessment will be provided to the TVA board of directors. It’s not clear yet if the assessment will include a recommendation to the board, but the board could make a decision based on the assessment. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, Government, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Bill Johnson, Bull Run Fossil Plant, Chattanooga Times Free Press, coal-fired units, combustion turbines, gas turbines, Paradise Fossil Plant, S&P Global, Scott Brooks, Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA

TVA: Kingston Ash Recovery Project follows new EPA guidelines

Posted at 1:03 pm December 23, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

TVA Kingston Fossil Plant Dike C Reinforcement

Photo courtesy TVA

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for coal combustion products released on Friday are consistent with work the Tennessee Valley Authority has already done at the Kingston recovery project, the public utility said in a press release.

“TVA is already making substantial changes in the way we work with coal combustion products, including coal ash and gypsum, said TVA President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Johnson. “This included committing an estimated $2 billion to convert all our coal fleet impoundments from wet to dry storage. While recognizing the significant potential for beneficial reuse of ash and other products, we agree it needs to be handled and stored safely.”

The project area surrounding the Kingston Fossil Plant near Harriman is in the final restoration stage following the coal ash spill in December 2008. It was the largest ash spill in U.S. history. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, Roane County, Top Stories Tagged With: air, ash retention landfill, ash spill, Bill Johnson, cleanup, coal ash, coal combustion, Community Advisory Group, electric rates, Emory River, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, insurance claim settlements, Kingston Ash Recovery Project, Kingston Fossil Plant, Kingston Recovery Project, Lakeshore Park, public health, Roane County, Roane County Highway Department, Swan Pond, TDEC, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, water

TVA: Kingston Ash Recovery Project nears completion

Posted at 10:46 pm December 17, 2014
By Tennessee Valley Authority Leave a Comment

TVA Kingston Fossil Plant Dike C Reinforcement

TVA Kingston Fossil Plant Dike C reinforcement (Photos courtesy TVA)

 

The Tennessee Valley Authority is in the final stages of the Kingston recovery project. The public utility says it’s fulfilling a promise to restore the area surrounding the Kingston Fossil Plant near Harriman following the coal ash spill in December 2008, the largest ash spill in U.S. history.

A major milestone was reached in early December, with the completion of the cover for a 240-acre permanent ash retention landfill. The new landfill, which has been fortified with an underground earthquake-resistant wall anchored in bedrock, is covered by a flexible-membrane liner and geo-composite fabric, two feet of clay, topsoil, and grass.

“We all know this incident shouldn’t have happened,” said TVA President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Johnson, who visited the recovery site on December 17. “But we have learned from it and we are fulfilling our commitment to making it right.”

TVA says it’s also keeping its promise by returning the Emory River and surrounding waterways to pre-spill conditions, reforesting and adding vegetation to surrounding land, stabilizing shorelines, and adding wetlands and other wildlife habitats. TVA has opened Lakeshore Park, which features 32 acres of walking trails, fishing piers, a boat ramp, and docks. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, Roane County, State, Top Stories Tagged With: air, ash, ash retention landfilll, ash spill, Bill Johnson, cleanup, coal ash spill, dry storage, economic development, electric rates, Emory River, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, gypsum, insurance claim, Kingston Ash Recovery Project, Kingston Fossil Plant, Kingston Recovery Project, Lakeshore Park, public health, Roane County, Roane County Highway Department, Swan Pond, TDEC, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, TVA, walking trails, water

TVA retiring eight coal units at three plants

Posted at 9:25 pm November 25, 2013
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Colbert Fossil Plant

The Tennessee Valley Authority is retiring all five coal units at the Colbert Fossil Plant on the Pickwick Reservoir on the Tennessee River in Alabama. (Photo courtesy TVA)

The Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors recently approved a plan that will retire eight coal units at three plants with more than 3,000 megawatts of combined generating capacity.

The retirements affect all five coal units at the Colbert Fossil Plant in Tuscumbia, Ala.; one of two operating coal units at Widows Creek Fossil Plant in Stevenson, Ala., and two of three coal units at the Paradise Fossil Plant near Central City, Ky. Paradise Unit 3, one of TVA’s largest coal units, will continue to operate.

A number of these units were already idled or scheduled for idling and/or retirement based on an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency, TVA said in a press release. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government Tagged With: Bill Johnson, Bill Sansom, board of directors, coal, coal units, Colbert Fossil Plant, debt, energy efficiency, environment, Environmental Protection Agency, gas, gas plant, gas-fired plant, hydro, Integrated Resource Plan, megawatts, Neil McBride, nuclear, Paradise Fossil Plant, public utility, rates, renewables, Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA, Widows Creek Fossil Plant

TVA tax equivalent payments total $547 million in 2013

Posted at 6:48 pm November 23, 2013
By Tennessee Valley Authority Leave a Comment

Submitted

KNOXVILLE—The Tennessee Valley Authority provided $547 million in tax equivalent payments in fiscal year 2013 to states and local governments where it sells electricity or has power properties.

TVA pays tax equivalent payments annually in the eight states where it sells electricity or owns generating plants, transmission lines, substations and other assets, and directly to 146 local governments where TVA owns power facilities. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government Tagged With: Bill Johnson, electricity, power sales revenues, tax equivalent payments, Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA

TVA board approves smaller budget, 1.5 percent rate increase

Posted at 2:12 pm August 22, 2013
By Tennessee Valley Authority 1 Comment

Submitted

KNOXVILLE—The Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors approved a $10.5 billion fiscal year 2014 budget at its meeting Thursday and a 1.5 percent retail rate increase—TVA’s first increase in two years.

The public utility said the rate increase is less than the economy’s modest growth in inflation since the last increase in 2011, and it will add about $1.50 to the monthly power bill of a residential consumer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Bill Johnson, budget, electricity, rate increase, Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA

Electricity sales down with mild temperatures; heavy rainfall boosted low-cost power, TVA says

Posted at 11:25 am August 5, 2013
By Tennessee Valley Authority Leave a Comment

Norris Dam

The Norris Dam in Anderson County can produce electricity for the Tennessee Valley Authority. (Photo courtesy TVA)

KNOXVILLE—The Tennessee Valley Authority reported Monday that electricity sales were lower in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 than for the prior period due largely to mild temperatures, while heavy rainfall boosted low-cost hydroelectric generation.

“Both sales and revenues were down in the third quarter. This was offset largely by our efforts to reduce operating costs,” TVA President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Johnson said. “We are focused on making sure TVA lives within our means to continue to keep rates low for our customers and the people of the Tennessee Valley.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Bill Johnson, electricity, electricity sales, hydroelectric generation, John Thomas, loss, quarterly report, rainfall, revenues, sales, temperatures, Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

TVC Summit next week includes House majority leader

Posted at 6:15 pm May 22, 2013
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Eric Cantor

Eric Cantor

Submitted

Business, community, and political leaders and senior decision-makers will convene at the 2013 Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit next week to discuss issues that are critical to the economic engine of the Tennessee Valley, a press release said.

Hosted by Third District Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, the two-day meeting themed “Securing America’s Future” will focus on energy and environment, innovation and entrepreneurism, public and private partnerships, and advanced manufacturing, the release said.

The Summit will be held at the Y-12 National Security Complex’s New Hope Center in Oak Ridge on May 29-30. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Anderson County, Business, Federal, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: advanced manufacturing, Andy Page, Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, Bill Johnson, Bob Raines, Chuck Fleischmann, DOE, DOE Oak Ridge Office, economy, energy, entrepreneurship, environment, Eric Cantor, House Majority Leader, innovation, John Morris, Lamar Alexander, Mark Whitney, National Nuclear Security Administration, Neile Miller, NNSA, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pete Lyons, Phil Roe, public/private partnerships, Randall T. Kempner, Securing America’s Future, Tech 20/20, Tennessee Valley, Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit, Thom Mason, TVA, U.S. Department of Energy

TVA sales flat in first quarter 2013, revenues consistent with prior year

Posted at 8:15 am February 6, 2013
By Tennessee Valley Authority Leave a Comment

KNOXVILLE—The Tennessee Valley Authority reported Tuesday that electricity sales were relatively flat in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, total revenues were consistent with the prior year, and net income was down.

“TVA’s total operating revenues remain on plan,” new President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Johnson said. “We continue to drive performance and process improvements in order to provide cleaner and low-cost energy to our customers.”

Higher off-system sales as a result of excess generation and closer-to-normal temperatures for the period, compared with even warmer weather a year ago, contributed to a slight 0.2 percent increase in total electricity sales, TVA said in its quarterly filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2012.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, Top Stories Tagged With: Bill Johnson, electricity, expenses, Form 10-Q, John Thomas, loss, revenues, sales, Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA

Search Oak Ridge Today

Classifieds

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

Public notice: Draft environmental assessment for Y-12 Development Organization at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

Recent Posts

  • ORAU launches new app with a variety of resources available, including hundreds of STEM internships, fellowships and research opportunities
  • Disposing of uranium waste could cost at least $7.2 billion
  • Y-12 now getting power from Pine Ridge substation
  • Man sentenced to 8 years after fleeing, crashing, attempting carjackings
  • Three Ohio residents die in two-vehicle crash
  • DOE picks Idaho for nuclear test reactor
  • TBI investigating man’s death
  • Luminarias to feature peace messages
  • Oak Ridge tennis court dance is Thursday
  • DOE bus tours restart in Oak Ridge
A Twitter List by OakRidgeToday

Recent Comments

  • Matt Bailey on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Mark Caldwell on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Matt Bailey on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Mark Caldwell on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Matt Bailey on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Tracy Powers on Planning Commission to consider Main Street apartments, plan revisions
  • johnhuotari on Four incumbents re-elected to Oak Ridge City Council
  • Levi D. Smith on Four incumbents re-elected to Oak Ridge City Council
  • samuel hopwood on Housing: Apartments proposed on former AMSE site
  • Matt Bailey on Robin Smith named Oak Ridge police chief

About Us

About Oak Ridge Today
What We Cover

How To

Advertise
Subscribe

Contact Us

Contact Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2022 Oak Ridge Today