The Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station in Hollywood, Ala., was never completed, and now the TVA this week at its board meeting is considering the sale of the land. (TVA)
The future of a 1,600-acre site on the Tennessee River could be decided this week. The Tennessee Valley Authority board of directors, at its meeting on Thursday, is expected to consider the possible sale of land originally allocated for the Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station that was never completed. Although the land actually is in Hollywood, Ala., Steve Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, said water doesn’t have boundaries and the river flows back into west Tennessee. “This is a very very important waterway to the state of Tennessee and to people who recreate and use the Tennessee River,” he said, “so we believe that this should be part of a strategy to reclaim some of this property for the greater public good.” The property includes existing switchyard and transmission interconnections, of which the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy would like the TVA to maintain ownership to pursue clean, renewable energy. A public comment period preceded this week’s meeting, and the board on Thursday will consider feedback as it determines whether to explore development options. Smith said protecting the area from another nuclear facility or potentially environmentally harmful industry is TVA’s responsibility, and he and others would like to see it maintain possession of the waterfront acreage as part of Guntersville Reservoir. “We believe it is a high responsibility of the Tennessee Valley Authority to protect the river,” he said. “That’s one of the original missions of TVA, and we think this is an appropriate time for the Board of Directors to reclaim that land for the greater public good.” Smith said his organization would support development inland of the riverfront that is environmentally conscious and supportive of recreation and wildlife. If TVA opts to sell the property, it likely would be sold through public auction.
