TVA retires Bull Run Fossil Plant, closing another coal plant as it shifts to clean energy
The Tennessee Valley Authority has retired the Bull Run Fossil Plant, the latest in a spate of coal-fired plants as the agency aims to retire all coal plants by 2035.
After more than 50 years in operation, the TVA board of directors approved the retirement of the only single-generator coal-fired plant in the TVA system, located in the Claxton community of Anderson County, in 2019. The closure was announced Dec. 1.
Four coal-fired plants remain in TVA's fleet, including the Cumberland Fossil Plant and the Kingston Fossil Plant. At its peak in 1985, TVA's coal fleet included 12 sites.
When it came online in 1967, Bull Run was the largest power generator in the world by volume of steam produced and outperformed the largest units of its time by 50%. Its 800-foot chimney and $140 million price tag – $1.4 billion in today's dollars – made it a massive national leader.
What will happen to TVA's Bull Run?
As TVA moves into the clean energy future with a goal for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, a transition team will prepare the plant for demolition. The agency is exploring options for what the 750-acre site across the Clinch River from Oak Ridge could become. It could hold battery storage or condensers that would support the stability of the power grid.
“This isn’t the last time we’ll say goodbye to a plant that has provided so much to TVA, the Valley and the community,” Jacinda Woodward, senior vice president of power operations, said in a release. “It’s not an easy decision to retire a plant, but it’s one we must make to secure a reliable and cleaner energy future as our generation portfolio and load shapes change.”
The sun is setting on the coal generation, but not on fossil fuels. TVA has replaced many of its retired coal plants with natural gas plants, enlisting another fossil fuel with lower carbon emissions.
It plans to retire a generating unit at the Cumberland Fossil Plant with a gas plant by 2026, a move TVA says will reduce carbon emissions by 60%, and is exploring a similar option at the Kingston Fossil Plant.
TVA's Bull Run leaves legacy of power, environmental concerns
TVA met its goal of retiring the Bull Run Fossil Plant by Dec. 1, 2023, and said the plant "finished strong" with a 48-day continuous run to burn its last remaining coal. Its recent summer net capability was 765 megawatts, enough to power 440,000 homes at once.
As operations finished, TVA said the plant's 60 employees were all given their first choice for what they wanted to do next. Some are moving to other TVA sites, some will help the plant transition for demolition and some will retire.
Bull Run will also be remembered for the coal ash it spread across the region. The waste product of burning coal once fell from the sky in Claxton, landing on cars and helping level out land for development. It also has potential for exposure to carcinogens and radiation.
In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency created regulations for how coal ash should be disposed of, but left reuse of the waste product up to states.
Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: TVA closes Bull Run Fossil Plant in Anderson County, Tennessee
