Selmer-West Adamsville 161-kV Transmission Line and Switching Station

On January 6, 2015, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) issued an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for its proposal to construct and operate a 161-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and 161-kV switching station in McNairy County, Tennessee.  The purpose of this undertaking is to improve the reliability of the electrical power system in the area by providing an additional source of power to several substations in the area.

The proposed Selmer-West Adamsville 161-kV Transmission Line would connect TVA’s existing Selmer 161-kV Substation to the proposed switching station.  The approximately 15-mile long line would be built on 100-foot-wide right-of-way which would occupy approximately 186 acres.  Construction would utilize single-steel poles.

The proposed West Adamsville 161-kV Switching Station would be located northwest of Adamsville and would be connected to TVA’s existing Pickwick Hydro Plant-Henderson 161-kV Transmission Line.  The switching station would occupy about 3 acres of a 15-acre site adjacent to Neely Sharp Road.

To facilitate operation of the new transmission line and to improve local transmission system reliability, TVA would take several additional actions, including: modifying existing communication equipment and installing new electrical equipment at the Selmer Substation; installing fiber optic ground wire on the new Selmer-West Adamsville line and on the existing transmission line between the new switching station and the existing North Adamsville Substation; installing fiber optic ground wire on a portion of a local de-energized transmission line; installing telecommunications connections at the Henderson and South Jackson substations and at the Pickwick Hydro Plant switchyard.  TVA would also update displays at its control centers in Chattanooga to indicate the status of the new facilities.