TVA Identifies Preferred Route for Transmission Line

April 9, 2009

GALLATIN, Tenn. — TVA has identified preferred locations for proposed new transmission line and switching station that are needed to strengthen the transmission system in Sumner County and meet the growing demand for power in the area.

The proposed 20-mile transmission line would connect the Gallatin Fossil Plant with a new switching station. The 161-kilovolt transmission line would extend from TVA’s Gallatin Plant to the proposed Angeltown Switching Station, located adjacent to TVA’s existing Portland-Westmoreland 161-kilovolt line near Angeltown.

The preferred locations are expected to have the fewest overall impacts of alternatives that were studied. Six miles of the transmission line will use existing right-of-way. The proposed route segments for the line affect approximately 108 property owners and 117 tracts of property, including 36 tracts along existing right-of-way and 81 tracts on new right-of-way.

In addition, about 500-feet of transmission line would connect the new switching station to the Portland-Westmoreland transmission line.

TVA will meet with property owners along new right-of-way to obtain 100-foot easements for construction, operation and maintenance of the line. Property owners will be compensated for the easements at fair market value and retain possession of the property.

TVA is expected to begin acquiring easements for the transmission right-of-way during the fall of 2009. Construction is scheduled to begin during the spring of 2011 with project completion scheduled for summer of 2012.

The project is needed by 2012 to relieve equipment that is nearing overload and voltage levels that are projected to be outside acceptable federally mandated levels.

TVA held an open house last December to answer questions and receive comments on the proposed project. Nearly 320 people attended the open house.

TVA’s decision on the preferred route follows receipt and evaluation of public input on alternative route segments for the transmission line. TVA’s objective in determining a route is to select the best overall path, weighing the same environmental, land use, engineering, cultural, and cost considerations to ensure that overall project impacts, as well as impacts to the community at large, are minimized.

The preferred route consists of alternative line segments 1, 2, 6, 10, 12, 17, 20, 27, 29, 34, 38 and 46. The preferred location for the switching station is alternative site #2. A map of the project and additional information are available.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 9 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

Myra Ireland, Chattanooga, (423) 413-5971
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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