TVA proposes new power-line route in Tennessee

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) said late last week that it has identified a preferred transmission-line route to increase electric reliability and growth in Rickman, Tennessee, and the surrounding region.

After receiving public input and doing studies on potential environmental, engineering and social impacts, the TVA has decided that the transmission line will connect to the West Cookeville-Livingston 161-kV line, located south of Crawford Chapel Road, and will extend toward the east and southeast to connect to the Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corp. (EMC) near Rickman Road.

The proposed transmission line would consist of approximately 6.5 miles and would be supported by steel-pole structures. This proposed plan would need to undergo a review in line with the National Environmental Policy Act.

TVA staff will meet with property owners to obtain construction, maintenance and operation easements. They noted that property owners would still own the land and would be compensated at fair market value.

Public surveys indicating right-of-way will begin shortly and following that process, property owners and TVA staff will negotiate on easement payments.

The TVA acts as a corporate agency of the U.S. and provides electricity for local power companies and business clients. It serves approximately nine million people across seven states.