Kentucky Area Improvements Phase II (Logan and Todd Counties)

Update – April 2025

TVA has identified the preferred locations for transmission improvements that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in Logan and Todd Counties in Kentucky.    

TVA evaluated each alternative 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 alternatives are expected to have the least overall project impacts.

TVA will build the Stokes Switching Station on the west side of Old Trenton Road just north of Hadden Road.  TVA will also build about 20 miles of transmission line which will begin at the new switching station and extend east to our existing Cave Springs Switching Station.        

The preferred locations for the switching station and line were selected from several alternatives presented at an open house in Elkton, Kentucky, on December 5, 2024, and online at a virtual open house from December 5, 2024, through January 6, 2025.  Based on public input and evaluation, these preferred alternatives are expected to have the least overall project impacts

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

The National Environmental Policy Act review is pending.

Background

TVA has determined that, in various maintenance contingency scenarios, the Todd County, Kentucky area transmission system does not provide sufficient voltage support to maintain electric service to its customers due to anticipated load growth and investment in the region.  TVA has selected the Kentucky Area Improvement Plan as a strategic, multi-value solution to solve near-term voltage issues, better position the system for future development, and improve regional interconnection capacity.  This project would increase power reliability and support growing load in the Logan and Todd County area.

TVA proposes to build the Stokes 161-kilovolt Switching Station off Old Trenton Road, just north of Trenton, Kentucky.  TVA would purchase about 10 to 12 acres for the station site and a transmission laydown yard (equipment storage area).  The following TVA lines would terminate into the station:  the 161-kilovolt St. Elmo Loop, the new line to Cave Springs, and the Paradise-Clarksville 161-kilovolt line.  Three alternative switching station site locations will be presented at the open house as follows:

• Site A is located on the east side of Old Trenton Road just north of Basham Road.  About 7 acres of additional transmission line easements would be required at this site to facilitate transmission line connections.
• Site B is located on the east side of Old Trenton Road just north of Hadden Road.  About 11 acres of additional transmission line easements would be required at this site to facilitate transmission line connections.
• Site C is located on the west side of Old Trenton Road just north of Hadden Road.  About 9 acres of additional transmission line easements would be required at this site to facilitate transmission line connections.

TVA’s proposed new line would begin at the new Stokes 161-kilovolt Switching Station and extend east for about 19.5 to 22.5 miles to the Cave Springs 161-kilovolt Switching Station. The new line would be built using primarily single- and double-pole (H-frame), steel structures centered on new 100-foot-wide right of way.  TVA is considering 3 alternative switching station sites, 42 alternative segments, and 216 alternative routes for the path of the new power line.

TVA will hold an open house on Thursday, December 5, 2024, to provide information, answer questions and receive comments about the proposed transmission project.  For those unable to attend the open house December 5, 2024, TVA is providing a virtual open house from December 5, 2024, through January 6, 2025, online at  tvavirtual.com/kentuckyii.

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

TVA held an open house in Elkton, Kentucky on December 5, 2024, and a virtual open house online from December 5, 2024, through January 6, 2025, 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.)