TN.gov Newsroom

The State of Tennessee and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announce their intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed West Tennessee Solar Farm. In keeping with its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DOE has determined this proposed project requires the preparation of an EA.   The West Tennessee Solar Farm, a five-megawatt multi-acre power solar array would generate renewable energy and serve as a demonstration site for educational purposes. The Solar Farm would be located in Haywood County, Tennessee. Educational activities would occur at a welcome center that would be located directly on Interstate 40, adjacent to the Solar Farm.

 

The State of Tennessee will host a public scoping meeting to solicit comments on the proposed project. All members of the public are invited to attend the scoping meeting where representatives from the State and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will discuss the goals for the EA and how the project may impact the surrounding community.

 

 

Community members are invited to arrive at 6:30 p.m. for an informal “open house” to learn more about the West Tennessee Solar Farm and the EA process. Formal presentations on the project will begin at 7:00 p.m. After these presentations, community members will be encouraged to offer comments on the solar farm. Comments may also be submitted in writing during the meeting or mailed to the address below

 

Comments made during the scoping meeting and those received in writing will be considered in the preparation of the draft EA. Public input related to the scoping process should be provided by December 4, 2009. There will be an additional period for public review and input after the draft EA is released in 2010.

 

For more information, to request handicap assistance or translation service, or to submit comments, please contact:

 

Ryan Gooch

Department of Economic and Community Development

312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., 10th Floor

Nashville, TN 37243

Phone: 1-800-342-1340

Email: ecd.energypolicy@tn.gov

 

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