Story By Hunter Jones
On Thursday, citizens around Pisgah gathered at Pisgah High School to hear and give their input on a potential Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) project.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Senior Project Manager Scottie Barrentine first explained that this meeting is a part of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process, requiring TVA to conduct environmental surveys for large projects such as this and disclose the environmental impacts of the proposed actions and alternatives to the public, whether positive or negative.
“I think the presentation was well-received. Not often you do NEPA and get applause, that’s very rare for TVA. I was really pleased with the crowd, they really showed out tonight,” Barrentine said.
For the past two years, various environmental studies have taken place, with the full 300-page environmental impact statement being available both online with a hard copy available at Pisgah Town Hall. This meeting also kicks off a 45-day window for any citizens to provide public comment to TVA regarding the project.
Barrentine presents the crowd with the four alternatives, the first one being no action, where nothing from TVA takes place. From 60 potential sites, a combination of economics, geology, topography and anticipated impacts has whittled the list down to three sites. The first is to expand the Raccoon Mountain plant, which would add 800 megawatts to the existing system. The next two sites are two new facilities, each would add 1200 megawatts, one in Rorex Creek and the other in Widows Creek, with Rorex Creek being the preferred alternative.
Barrentine then announced plainly that no decision has been made on what TVA will do and that this project would not dam Rorex Creek, Jones Creek or the Gorge. He then showed renders of the illustrated project and what it could look like.
The project, if brought to Pisgah, would result in 1,000 temporary jobs for construction as well as 60 permanent jobs in the facility. TVA would also work with community planners to ty and add recreational opportunities to the area, including hiking, biking, camping, improved river access and habitat improvements.
The project would also put over $700 million into the Northeast Alabama economy in construction alone, with another projected $700 million over the next 20 years of operation.
Barrentine also goes into the specifics of the project itself, starting with the pumped storage system. Barrentine described it as a ‘large water battery,’ mentioning that TVA does own one pumped storage facility in Raccoon Mountain, located just outside of Chattanooga that was built in the 1970s.
“What it does is when we’ve got excess power on the grid, we use those turbines to pump water from the lower reservoir to a higher elevation and then when power goes up in demand, we just reverse the flow, let it fall back through the turbines and make power during those peaking times,” Barrentine said.
With the water being pumped up into a reservoir, Barrentine states that this won’t severely impact Lake Guntersville, estimating that the water in that area may go down a half-inch. The true purpose of the facility would be to keep the power grid balanced and stable, even with new adds to the grid.
“Pumped storage is the Swiss Army Knife of the (power grid). No matter what the grid of the future looks like, it’s a key to allow us to manage and operate that grid,” Barrentine said.
Barrentine then closed with a general timeframe. A decision to move forward on the project at any of the sites could be made within the next two years and once. Currently, they are still within the two-year planning phase but will soon move to design, taking another two to three years. Once the design is finished, it could take anywhere from six to eight years.
Afterwards, Barrentine directed the crowd’s attention to tables on the side, where TVA workers were seated and ready to field any related questions the community may have. Tables towards the back were also available for any attendants to submit their community feedback as part of the 45-day window.
While the project appeared to be relatively well received by the community, the truth of the project is that should it move forward, people will be displaced. Lynde Wheeler and Robert Thomas are two of the citizens who would be forced to move should the proposal move forward.
“I’ve lived here my whole life on the same county road, different houses but same county road. (The possibility of being moved) is bittersweet for me. I’m always up for a new adventure but it will be sad to give up something that has been a part of my life the whole time I’ve been here,” Wheeler said.
In spite of the unknown, however, both appear to recognize the value such a project could bring to Jackson County. While many may have been uncertain about what comes next going in, many seemed satisfied with the proposal.
“I was a little concerned not knowing what might transpire,” Thomas said. “Right now, I think it would be a very beneficial project for this area, Jackson County. I think it could be a boost to tourism, create some jobs and maybe bring in some businesses to the county.”
Nathan Lee, Pisgah resident and Jackson County Economic Development Authority CEO, echoes the thoughts that this could be a huge boost to Jackson County.
“I’m excited about what TVA is trying to do in this area. It’s no secret that we need more power generation for industries and the growth we have so I’m excited about the opportunity we have with TVA with this pumped storage,” Lee said. “Any time we have companies that are looking for big power users, any time we can add power to the grid would help with that. There have been a few industries unable to come here something because of power. By and large, the power is here and this project will just be a benefit for that.”
