# 2026-01092: TVA Revises Rules to Better Protect Wetlands in Energy Projects 2026-01092, Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, is a Federal Register rule from Tennessee Valley Authority published 2026-01-21, effective 2026-01-21 (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01092 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-01092 - Title: Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act - Type: Rule - Agencies: Tennessee Valley Authority - Citation: 91 FR 2470 - Published: 2026-01-21 - Effective: 2026-01-21 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: no - Regulation identifier numbers: 3316-AA26 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line TVA Revises Rules to Better Protect Wetlands in Energy Projects ## Summary The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is updating its rules to follow new environmental laws and court decisions, making sure they protect nature while supporting energy projects. These changes affect how TVA checks the impact of its actions on the environment, especially wetlands and floodplains. The new rules start January 21, 2026, and TVA wants your feedback by February 20, 2026. ## Abstract This interim final rule revises the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) procedures implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). TVA is taking this action in response to the amendments to NEPA enacted through the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, to reflect the Supreme Court's recent decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado, and to align with Executive Order (E.O.) 14154, Unleashing American Energy, and the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) subsequent recission of its NEPA implementing regulations, which TVA's procedures were intended to supplement. This interim final rule requests comments on this action and TVA's intent to move its procedures at Subpart G, for compliance with E.O. 11988, Floodplain Management, and E.O. 11990, Protection of Wetlands, into a new part 1319 of the CFR, to inform TVA's decision-making. ## Effects PRIA read - Project Sponsors Can Pay for Faster Reviews: mixed, medium. The rule implements Section 112 from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, allowing project sponsors (private applicants) to pay a fee to obtain shortened NEPA review deadlines. TVA says project sponsors may opt in under this authority and TVA will coordinate with the Council on Environmental Qua… - TVA Must Meet NEPA Page Limits and Deadlines: benefit, medium. TVA's procedures adopt the statutory page limits and deadlines for Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) established by Congress (NEPA Sec. 107). TVA will require a certification that it adhered to those statutory deadlines and page limits and adds a schedule se… - Sponsors May Prepare Environmental Documents: mixed, low. TVA's procedures say project sponsors or their contractors may prepare environmental documents for TVA review, but TVA will independently evaluate and approve those documents. Project sponsors must submit disclosure statements about their interest in the outcome. - Public Comment and Access Made Discretionary: cost, low. TVA revised public involvement rules so that public participation in preparing environmental documents is at TVA's discretion. TVA states that public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment is discretionary, will make documents primarily available on TVA's website, and will disclose public comm… - FONSI Must Identify Mitigation and Monitoring: benefit, low. TVA's revised procedures state that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will identify any mitigation requirements and commitments, the authority for them, and any associated monitoring or enforcement provisions. A FONSI may be published separately or as part of an EA. ## Related documents - [2026-14605](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14605): Generator Interconnection Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, 2026-07-20 - [2026-13108](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13108): Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 2026-06-30 - [2026-08661](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08661): Meeting of the Regional Resource Stewardship Council, 2026-05-05 - [2026-06773](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-06773): Spring Valley II Solar Final Environmental Impact Statement, 2026-04-08 - [2025-06830](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-06830): Chatuge Dam Safety Modifications, 2025-04-21 - [2025-05270](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-05270): Sugar Camp Energy, LLC Mine No. 1 Significant Boundary Revision 8 Environmental Impact Statement, 2025-03-27 ## Sources - [2026-01092 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/21/2026-01092/implementation-of-the-national-environmental-policy-act) - [2026-01092 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-21/pdf/2026-01092.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-01083, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Ves…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01083) - [Next: 2026-01094, Airworthiness Directives; CFM International, S.A. Engines](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01094) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01092 (as of 2026-06-11).