Overview

This EA was prepared to assess the potential consequences of DOE's proposed action (release of Tennessee's SEP funds) and the proposed Solar Farm project on the human environment, in accordance with the CEQ's Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1500-1508) and DOE's National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (10 CFR 1021). In addition, as required by CEQ and DOE regulations, the potential impacts of the No Action Alternative are also assessed. This EA (1) describes the existing environment at the project site, (2) analyzes potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project and the No Action Alternative, and (3) identifies and characterizes cumulative impacts that could result from the proposed project in relation to other ongoing or reasonably foreseeable proposed activities within the surrounding area of the project site. The proposed Solar Farm project is expressed as a range (5 to 10 megawatts). For the purposes of the analyses presented herein, all potential impacts were assessed assuming that the proposed project proceeds at the maximum (10-megawatt) size. Throughout the NEPA process, it has been suggested that the West Tennessee Megasite is a Connected Action. DOE has determined the Megasite is not a Connected Action based on the definition provided in 40 CFR 1508. Neither the Megasite, nor Tennessee's proposed Solar Farm would automatically trigger the other. Similarly, neither requires the other to be undertaken previously or simultaneously. Finally, they are not interdependent parts of a larger action that depends on the larger action for their justification. Although the plans for the Megasite are largely speculative based on the existing information, it has been included in the Cumulative Impacts section of the EA. References in the EA to the proposed project are to the Solar Farm, and not the Megasite. Certain aspects of the proposed project have a greater potential for creating adverse environmental impacts than others. For this reason, CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1502.1-1502.2) recommend a sliding-scale approach so that those actions with greater potential effect can be discussed in greater detail in NEPA documents than those that have little potential for impact. To this end, those resource areas with the higher potential for impacts and greater potential need for mitigation measures are given more emphasis in this EA.

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