TVA To Hold Open House on Request To Use Property for Substation

Oct. 23, 2008

HIAWASSEE, Ga. -- TVA will hold an open house Thursday, Nov. 13, to receive public comments on a proposal by Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation to use 1.6 acres of TVA-managed land for construction of a substation and transmission line.

The property is located on Chatuge Reservoir on U.S. Highway 76 south of Hiawassee in Towns County.

The open house will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Towns County High School cafeteria, 1400 Highway 76, in Hiawassee. The public may come anytime between those hours and discuss the proposal.

In response to public comments received during a 30-day comment period in May, TVA extended the public comment period on the proposal through Nov. 24. Comments received during the Aug. 27 Mountain Reservoir Land Management Plan public meeting pertaining to BRMEMC’s proposed use of TVA land will be considered in the review of the substation project. A draft environmental assessment on the proposal is available for public review.

TVA is interested in public comments on the potential of the proposed project to affect the environment and historic properties. TVA is also asking the public to identify any other issues associated with the proposal. The public comments will be used to help TVA reach a decision on the use of the property.

Comments can be provided at the public meeting, on the TVA website, by calling 1-866-601-4612, or in writing to TVA c/o “BRMEMC Substation Proposal”, Chickamauga — Hiwassee Watershed Team, 4800 US Highway 64 West, Suite 102, Murphy, N.C., 28906. All comments must be received by Nov. 24.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 159 power distributors that serve approximately 8.8 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

Laura Smith, Knoxville, (865) 632-8287
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom