The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has announced plans to expand pumped storage hydropower (PSH) capacity in the Southeast United States, targeting increased energy reliability and economic growth for the region. As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, TVA has published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and is inviting public comments until 14 July 2025.
The DEIS outlines four alternatives for the future of pumped storage hydropower in the TVA service area. The first is a no-action scenario, maintaining operations at the existing 1,700MW Raccoon Mountain facility near Chattanooga, Tennessee, without expansion. The second, and TVA’s preferred option, proposes construction of a new PSH plant at Rorex Creek near Pisgah, Alabama, with a capacity between 1200MW and 1600MW. The third alternative considers a new plant at Widows Creek near Stevenson and Fabius, Alabama, with similar capacity. The fourth option would expand the Raccoon Mountain facility by 800MW.
TVA currently delivers electricity to more than 10 million customers across seven southeastern states, operating a diverse portfolio that includes nuclear, hydro, solar, and natural gas generation. The proposed PSH expansion is part of TVA’s broader strategy to ensure grid stability as the region’s energy needs grow and as more intermittent renewables are integrated into the system.
Stakeholders and residents are encouraged to review the DEIS at tva.com/nepa and submit feedback by email, mail, or online. All comments will be included in the public record as TVA moves toward a final decision on the project’s direction, which is expected to have a significant impact on the future of energy storage and supply in the Southeast.
