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Lewis Chapel, Tennessee (Dunlap)

Update – April 2022

TVA has identified the preferred location for transmission improvements that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Dunlap area of Sequatchie County in Tennessee.    

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 6.61-mile line would begin at TVA’s Smith Mountain Switching Station-Brush Creek 161-kilovolt Transmission Line and extend southeast to the new Lewis Chapel Substation to be built by Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative.

The route selected is Route No. 3 which consists of Tap Point No. 1 and Segments 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, and 11 as presented at the virtual open house from November 18 through December 20, 2021. 

The new line will be built using primarily single-pole and H-frame, steel structures centered on new 100-foot-wide right of way.    

Surveys of the right of way are scheduled to begin in summer-fall 2022.

Easement purchases are scheduled to begin in summer 2023.

Construction is scheduled to begin in winter 2023-2024.

The line is scheduled to be in service in spring 2024.

Background

TVA is considering improvements to its transmission system that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Dunlap area of Sequatchie County.

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) provides electricity to Bledsoe and Sequatchie Counties through their Brush Creek 161-kilovolt Substation.  This requires long feeder lines from the substation to rural areas which results in large voltage drops and high power losses.  Additionally, the Sequatchie Industrial Park (located west of the Brush Creek Substation) is growing and has had several inquiries from industries that could potentially add to the existing electrical load.  With these large industrial loads coming online, SVEC would need additional capacity at the Brush Creek 161-kilovolt Substation.

SVEC proposes to build the Lewis Chapel 161-kilovolt Substation about five miles southeast of Dunlap at the intersection of Henson Gap Road and Window Rock Road.

TVA proposes to build a seven-mile-long line from our existing Smith Mountain Switching Station-Brush Creek 161-kilovolt Transmission Line to the new Lewis Chapel Substation.  This would resolve the over-loading issue at the existing Brush Creek 161-kilovolt Substation, reduce power losses, and improve reliability of electricity in the area.

The line would be built using primarily single-pole and H-frame, steel structures centered on new 100-foot-wide right of way.  The scheduled completion date for this project is spring 2024.

There are 2 alternative tap points and 11 line segments under consideration for the route of the new line.

Property owners near and along the alternative transmission line segments have been invited to a virtual open house by mail – including about 63 property owners representing about 82 parcels.

The virtual open house is available from November 18 through December 20, 2021, at tvavirtual.com/lewischapel.

Property owners and members of the public are invited to submit comments and questions about this proposed transmission project through December 20, 2021.

The project is expected to be in service in spring 2024.  Construction is scheduled to begin in winter 2023. (Dates are subject to change. Unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)

161kv + Gunterstock

Public Involvement

TVA held a virtual open house from November 18 through December 20, 2021, 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.

Map

The map shows the area of the proposed transmission improvements. The map is also available below as a PDF file.

If you have questions or need help understanding the map, please contact TVA (see below).

Preferred route of proposed transmission line

Project Schedule

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

Virtual Open House begins November 18, 2021
Comments accepted through December 20, 2021
Determine preferred route for field surveys Winter 2021-2022
Surveys of the right of way are scheduled to begin Spring 2022
Easement purchases are scheduled to begin Summer 2023
Construction is scheduled to begin Winter 2023
Project in service Spring 2024

Environmental Reviews

The appropriate National Environmental Policy Act review will be conducted to ensure that the environmental impacts are minimized. TVA attempts to minimize any land requirements, private property impacts, and environmental impacts associated with this project.

Efforts are made during the siting process to avoid or minimize impacts to floodplains and wetlands in accordance with Executive Orders 11988 and 11990. Floodplains and wetlands are shown on the referenced map. The map illustrates how the route avoids or impacts floodplains and wetlands. Because of project and topographic constraints and because of minimizing impacts to other social, environmental, and engineering resources, no practicable alternative may be available that would allow complete avoidance of impacts to floodplains and wetlands which may require mitigation for minimizing impacts. Also, best management practices would be utilized throughout the project to minimize adverse floodplain and wetland impacts. In compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, TVA will be coordinating wetland findings with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Contact

More information on this project can be obtained from:

Les Warnock
P.E., Siting Engineer
[email protected]
(800) 362-4355
1101 Market Street, MR 4G
Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801