CHATTANOOGA, TN - The Department of Energy is preparing an environmental impact statement on the use of fuel made from surplus nuclear weapons to power Tennessee Valley Authority nuclear plants.

TVA released a set of talking points on Tuesday about the environmental impact statement. TVA spokesman Ray Golden told The Chattanooga Times Free Press the document will appear as a draft this week in the Federal Register.

The mixed oxide fuel, also called MOX fuel, is a blend of plutonium and uranium, but the TVA says the variety under consideration is made from retired nuclear weapons.

The utility has tentatively agreed to consider using the fuel in its Sequoyah and Browns Ferry nuclear plants in Tennessee and Alabama.