IRP Public Open House Next Week, Wilson Dam Upgrades & School Uplift Winners in North Alabama

NORTH ALABAMA-TVA has several newsworthy event s that have happened or will be taking place in our area for the upcoming month:

• Integrated Resource Plan Open House in Huntsville – TVA released the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) back in September. This comprehensive plan will shape TVA’s energy system through 2050. We want to make sure people know how to make their voices heard as TVA makes plans power-generation resources for the future. They can submit a public comment until November 26 and/or attend the public open house in Huntsville on November 12^th at 6:00pm at Calhoun Community College.

• TVA Wins Grant to Update Hydropower Facilities, Including Wilson Dam – TVA won three competitive grant awards from the Department of Energy (DOE) that will put funding toward supporting projects at three of our hydroelectric facilities – Wilson Dam, Ocoee Dam No. 2 and Great Falls Dam. The $1.92 million project includes upgrades to ensure Wilson Dam remains stable, reliable, and able to provide flood control and produce carbon-free energy. Wilson Dam is the largest conventional hydroelectric facility in the TVA system and has the capacity to power more than 350,000 homes. TVA’s three awards were part of DOE’s selection of 293 hydroelectric improvement projects across 33 states that will receive up to $430 million in incentive payments to upgrade hydropower facilities.

• 6 North Alabama Schools Enrolled in Latest School Uplift Cohort – TVA’s Energy Right School Uplift is investing in student education in many ways, including providing grants to schools in need. Overall, 225 schools have completed our training program for strategic energy management, and we’ve awarded $7.87 million in grants to make energy upgrades and learning environment improvements at these schools. Additionally, TVA is investing more than $3 million per year in School Uplift grants to keep the momentum going. Congrats to the following schools in north Alabama enrolled in Cohort 5 during this current 2024-2025 school year and thank you to our local power companies who will support them in making energy-efficiency improvements!
  • Buckhorn High (Huntsville Utilities)
  • DAR High (North Alabama Electric Cooperative)
  • Guntersville Elementary (Electric Board of Guntersville)
  • Hazlewood Elementary (Joe Wheeler EMC)
  • Mount Hope School (Joe Wheeler EMC)
  • Vinemont High (Cullman Electric Cooperative)

Media Release/Clarissa McClain
Senior Strategic Communicator | South Region TVA