TVA Becoming Less Coal Dependent

The Tennessee Valley Authority's reliance on coal has dropped and the use of natural gas as fuel to generate electricity has increased. The Commercial Appeal reports TVA's use of gas climbed 70 percent in the fiscal year ended September 30. At the same time, coal-fired generation declined 30 percent from fiscal year 2011.

TVA’s greater gas fuel use mirrors a national trend as hydraulic fracturing in drilling releases abundant fuel sources. Nuclear generation also is a major player, accounting for one-third of the power TVA produces.