Cheatham County Generation Site EIS Scoping Report
Appendix C Summary of Scoping Comments
Tennessee Valley Authority
Nationwide Rivers Inventory A section of Sycamore Creek listed on the Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI) administered by the NPS runs along the southern boundary of the CHG property. The NOI indicates that the CHG property would also include an approximately thirteen-acre pollinator habitat along Sycamore Creek as part of the action alternative. Potential impacts to Sycamore Creek from CHG construction and operation, including the pollinator habitat development, should be evaluated in TVA’s EIS. NRI listed segments of Jones Creek and the Harpeth River are also within twelve miles of the CHG, the length of the proposed natural gas pipeline. The location of associated infrastructure, including the pipeline and transmission lines, and any resulting impacts to other NRI river segments should also be disclosed in TVA’s EIS. NRI river segments are potential candidates for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System. Under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section 5(d)(1) and related guidance, all federal agencies must seek to avoid or mitigate actions that would adversely affect one or more NRI segments. Geospatial data for the NRI can be located at the following link: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2233706. National Scenic and Historic Trails The CHG site is within about ten miles of the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail (TRTE) at its closest point, and NATT is within NATR. It is unclear what the impacts to TRTE and NATT might be from the CHG site or from proposed associated infrastructure, i.e., the natural gas pipeline and transmission lines. The location of associated infrastructure and resulting impacts to National Scenic and Historic Trails should be disclosed in TVA’s EIS. Geospatial data for the designated alignment of the TRTE can be located at the following link: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2238914. National Register of Historic Places The NPS notes that the Cheatham County Courthouse, Sanford Wilson House, and St. Michaels Catholic Church are National Register listed historic properties within twelve miles of the CHG site. Other historic properties in the area may be affected by the project. TVA should complete compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Section 106 in its analysis for the project, including identification of historic properties and the area of potential effects.
NPS Comment Letter_002
6/16/2023
negative
Ben
West
National Heritage Areas The project is within the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area (NHA).
Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases While cleaner than coal, natural gas-fired generation emits criteria air pollutants and just over half the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on a pound per megawatt basis as coal. 1 In addition, natural gas well drilling, production, and transport also results in GHG and criteria pollutant emissions. The NPS recommends that these direct and indirect effects are quantified and addressed in detail in the EIS.
The National Park Service (NPS) has reviewed the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to address potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of a simple cycle Combustion Turbine (CT) plant and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a parcel of TVA-owned land in Cheatham County, Tennessee. The Cheatham County Generation Site (CHG) would replace a portion of the Cumberland Fossil Plant generation planned for retirement by the end of 2028. Connected actions, such as the construction of an approximately twelve-mile natural gas pipeline and offsite transmission lines, will also be assessed in the EIS. TVA has requested comments concerning the scope of the EIS, including environmental issues that should be addressed, as well as information and analyses relevant to the proposed action. The NPS has identified several areas of jurisdiction or special expertise that may be affected by the project. However, it is difficult to understand the scope of the proposed project from the project location description provided in the NOI and other information on TVA’s project website, which did not include a detailed description or map of TVA’s property where the CHG would be developed. The NPS requested and received a basic map of the Cheatham County
property separately from TVA as a result. Additional information regarding the pipeline route and transmission lines was not available for NPS review. Based largely on the map we received of the TVA property where the CHG would be developed, the NPS provides the following scoping comments for consideration in the development of the EIS: National Park System
NPS Comment Letter_001
6/16/2023
negative
Ben
West
The Natchez Trace Parkway (NATR) northern terminus is approximately 21 miles from TVA’s CHG property, and the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (NATT) is contained within the boundary of NATR. Both NATR and NATT are units of the National Park System. Potential impacts to NATR and NATT air quality from CHG construction and operation should be evaluated in TVA’s EIS. Geospatial data for the administrative boundaries of National Park System Units can be located at the following link: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2298879.
I own a house at the corner of Newland Hollow Road & Lockertsville Rd in Ashland City. TVA is wanting to build a methane gas site, lithium battery site and 12 miles of gas line along this area. I have lived here since 1999 and bought this property because it was quiet, rural, full of nature and animals as well as a great neighborhood. I am opposed to this site, as many others, due to the hazardous conditions that would become of this area from air quality to our waterways possibly being contaminated with what TVA is proposing. This isn’t even to mention how loud it would be and dealing with constant lights. I know in the past, when there have been leaks in the waterways, it hasn’t been dealt with immediately. I know if there were an explosion, this would be catastrophic, possibly more so than other areas where explosions have taken place and burned hundreds of acres. You also will make the flooding situation that happens around these parts, much worse. Please use the coal sites that you are shutting down rather than having new sites that will be nothing more than a nuisance for this community. Ashland City gets nothing from you coming here. Nashville will get the electricity while Ashland City gets the headache negative Tammy Bishop 37015
6/30/2023 Lockertsville Rd land
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