Stay informed and engaged.
The Tennessee Valley Authority was created to serve the people of the region. Members of the public are vital partners in addressing the region’s energy needs, protecting the environment and enhancing economic opportunities for everyone. From board and council meetings to environmental reviews and long-range planning, we need your voice and your ideas.
Learn how you can engage with TVA on the issues that matter to you.
Join a committee
Advisory Councils
The TVA Board of Directors established two independent advisory councils: the Regional Energy Resource Council and the Regional Resource Stewardship Council. Both councils provide an opportunity for the public to offer input on environmental stewardship and energy needs, with meetings and listening sessions held throughout the year.
Board of Directors
The TVA Board of Directors meets quarterly at locations across the region. Meetings are open to the public and streamed live on TVA.com. A listening session takes place the afternoon before each scheduled meeting. Individuals who would like to speak at the listening session must register in advance. Sign-ups begin approximately one week prior to scheduled meetings.
Environmental Reviews
TVA follows the National Environmental Policy Act when evaluating potential projects and actions. This law requires TVA to consider the effect of a project on the environment before making a final decision. These reviews also consider how projects, plans or policies impact endangered species and historic places or artifacts.
More about environmental reviewsIntegrated Resource Plan
The 2025 Integrated Resource Plan is a comprehensive plan that will guide TVA’s energy system through 2050, with scenarios that evaluate future electricity demand and strategies to provide affordable, reliable, resilient and clean energy to meet that demand. A major key to success is public engagement throughout the process.
Land Action
TVA manages 293,000 acres of public land and must carefully balance the public's needs with agency goals. Land requests, such as construction of private docks or commercial development on TVA reservoirs, are governed by the National Environmental Policy Act. This act requires TVA to consider a project's impact on the environment and cultural or historical resources.
More about land actionsTransmission
TVA manages more than 16,400 miles of transmission lines connecting generating plants to local power companies. TVA ensures that equipment is in good condition and that rights of way are kept clear of plants and trees that could cause power outages or damage. New transmission lines help deliver power where and when it's needed.
Projects Open for Public Comment
As TVA considers proposed projects or actions, it offers the public the opportunity to provide input. TVA is committed to working with stakeholders to address concerns during various stages of a project. Comments received during a project comment period are used in reaching a decision. Public comments may be given during a public meeting or submitted through the appropriate project website. The following projects are open for public comment:
Environmental Reviews
Transmission Projects
Belmont Stage 2, Mississippi (Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha Counties)
Proposed Transmission Project
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.)
Public Involvement
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 will hold an open house to discuss the proposed transmission project. Details are as follows:
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 12:00 noon - 7:00 p.m. CT (local time)
The Civic
130 6th Street
West Point, MS 39773
TVA representatives will be available at the open house to provide information, answer questions and receive comments. Large maps showing the alternative locations for consideration will be available.
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 have special needs, please contact Tanya Adams at least five days prior to the open house toll-free at (800) 362-4355.
If you cannot attend the open house but have questions or comments, contact Bethany Butler (see contact information below). All written comments on this proposed action should be sent to TVA no later than December 16, 2024.
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).
Belmont Stage 2, Mississippi Open House Map
Project Schedule
(Dates are subject to change. Unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)
Open House begins | November 14, 2024 |
Comments accepted through | December 16, 2024 |
Determine preferred route for field surveys | Spring 2025 |
Surveys of the right of way are scheduled to begin | Summer - Fall 2025 |
Easement purchases are scheduled to begin | Winter - Spring 2025-2026 |
Construction is scheduled to begin | Summer - Fall 2027 |
Project in service | Winter - Spring 2027-2028 |
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:
Bethany Butler
[email protected]
800-362-4355
1101 Market Street, MR 4G
Chattanooga,
TN
37402-2801