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Sundown Drive, Alabama
Proposed Transmission Project
TVA is considering improvements to its transmission system that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in Marshall and Morgan Counties in Alabama.
This area is served by Arab Electric Cooperative (EC). Arab EC currently provides electric service to the Arab, Alabama area with a 46-kilovolt sub-transmission system that is served out of their Arab Primary 161-kilovolt Station. This 46-kilovolt system is over 50 years old and has reached its capacity. Arab EC’s aging 46-kilovolt infrastructure is heavily loaded and in need of significant maintenance or replacement.
Arab EC plans to convert their Sundown Drive Station from 46- to 161-kilovolt operation. They own the existing station property at 132 Sundown Drive and will purchase additional property required to upgrade the station.
TVA proposes to build from 4.5 to 5.5 miles of 161-kilovolt transmission line to the upgraded station. The new line would begin at a point on TVA’s East Point-Guntersville Hydro Plant 161-kilovolt Transmission Line and extend south to the upgraded Sundown Drive Station. There are three alternative tap points under consideration:
- Tap Point 1 is between Structures 61 and 62 southwest of Densmore Road.
- Tap Point 2 is between Structures 53 and 54 closest to Fenton Road.
- Tap Point 3 is between Structures 43 and 44 northeast of Cranford Road.
There are 15 alternative line segments under consideration for the route of the new transmission line.
The new line would consist primarily of single-pole steel structures and would require a 100-foot-wide right of way. Depending on the route chosen, the new line could utilize up to about a mile of Arab EC’s existing Guntersville Dam-Cullman 46-kilovolt Transmission Line right of way. This easement is 75 feet wide, so TVA would purchase an additional 25 feet of right-of-way width in this section.
Property owners near and along the alternative transmission line segments have been invited to a virtual open house by mail – including about 150 property owners representing about 238 parcels.
The virtual open house is available from January 26 to February 27, 2023, at tvavirtual.com/sundown.
Property owners and members of the public are invited to submit comments and questions about this proposed transmission project through February 27, 2023.
The project is expected to be in service in summer 2025. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2025. (Dates are subject to change. Unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)
Public Involvement
Sundown Drive, Alabama Virtual Open House
January 26 – February 27, 2023
tvavirtual.com/sundown
TVA's process for siting new transmission projects is designed to allow public input at various stages. TVA is committed to working with area stakeholders to address concerns during various stages of the project. Comments received during the comment period will be used in reaching a decision on the proposed action.
TVA is interested in receiving comments concerning how this project may affect the environment, historic properties, or any other issues associated with this proposal. Any comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record.
If you cannot access the virtual open house but have questions or comments, contact Todd Liskey. All written comments on this proposed action should be sent to TVA no later than February 27, 2023. (See contact information below).Submit Comments About the Project
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).
Possible Routes of Proposed Transmission Line (PDF)
Project Schedule
(Dates are subject to change. Unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)
| Virtual Open House begins | January 26, 2023 |
| Comments accepted through | February 27, 2023 |
| Determine preferred route for field surveys | Spring 2023 |
| Surveys of the right of way are scheduled to begin | Summer 2023 |
| Easement purchases are scheduled to begin | Summer 2024 |
| Construction is scheduled to begin | Spring 2025 |
| Project in service | Summer 2025 |
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:
Todd Liskey
[email protected]
800-362-4355
1101 Market Street, MR 4G
Chattanooga,
TN
37402-2801