Belmont Stage 2, Mississippi (Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha Counties)

Update – May 2025

TVA has identified the preferred location for a transmission line that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha Counties in Mississippi.      

TVA evaluated each route using social, engineering, and environmental factors.  Information sources included available data, aerial photography, limited onsite reviews, public review and comment, and property owner input.  Based on public input and evaluation, the preferred route is expected to have the least overall project impacts of the alternatives.

TVA’s proposed line would begin at the Clay Substation at 2740 TVA Road in West Point and extend south to the Artesia Substation at 1280 Mims Road in Columbus.

The new line would be a single-circuit, 161-kilovolt line built using primarily single- and double-pole, steel structures centered on existing and new 100-foot-wide right of way.

The preferred location for the new line was selected from several options presented at an open house in West Point on November 14, 2024, and online at a virtual open house from November 14 through December 16, 2024. 

• Surveys of the right of way are scheduled to begin in fall 2025.
• Easement purchases are scheduled to begin in fall 2025 to winter 2025-2026.
• Construction is scheduled to begin in spring-summer 2027.
• The line is scheduled to be in service in summer 2027.

The National Environmental Policy Act review is pending.

Background

TVA is considering improvements to its transmission system that would improve reliability of electrical service and provide power for future residential and commercial growth in Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha Counties in Mississippi.

TVA proposes to build about 18 miles of 161-kilovolt transmission line which would begin at our Clay 500-kilovolt Substation at 2740 TVA Road in West Point (Clay County) and extend south to our Artesia 161-kilovolt Substation at 1280 Mims Road in Columbus (Lowndes County).

There is a network of about 35 alternative line segments and about 67 alternative line routes under consideration for the location of the new line.  This network is categorized into three main groups:  West, Middle, and East.  Combinations of the routes and segments within each group would begin at the Clay Substation and end at the Artesia Substation.

• West Routes – There are at least 24 routes in this group.  Some of these segments/routes would use existing right of way.
• Middle Routes – There are at least 27 routes in this group.  Many of these segments/routes would use existing right of way.
• East Routes – There are at least 18 routes in this group.  Some of these segments/routes would parallel existing TVA power lines.

The line would be built using primarily single-pole, steel structures centered on new 100-foot-wide right of way.  The scheduled completion date for this project is winter-spring 2028. 

TVA will hold an open house on Thursday, November 14, 2024, to provide information, answer questions and receive comments about the proposed transmission project.  For those unable to attend the open house on November 14, 2024, TVA is providing a virtual open house from November 14 through December 16, 2024, online at  tvavirtual.com/belmont2.

The project is expected to be in service in winter-spring 2027-2028.  Construction is scheduled to begin in summer-fall 2027.  (Dates are subject to change. Unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)

TVA held an open house in West Point on November 14, 2024, and a virtual open house online from November 14 through December 16, 2024, to present the project.  Within this 30-day comment period, property owners and members of the public were able to submit questions and comments online, in writing, or by telephone.

(Dates are subject to change. Unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)