The Tennessee Valley Authority began increasing power output at the first of three units at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in north Alabama to accommodate customer requests for more clean energy, but observers have mixed views on the $475-million effort. The federal power producer also started planning for its power needs for the next five years, including a review of the effects of power-operations by-products and impacts of production on climate change.

Contractor Day & Zimmermann on Feb. 14 began upgrading Browns Ferry Unit 3 to increase the power output by 155 megawatts to 1,305 MW. Once all three units are upgraded by next spring, the plant’s capacity will reach 3,952 MW. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says its evaluation showed the plants’ design could handle the 14% output boost based on its nuclear steam supply systems, instrumentation and control systems.