TVA Extending Public Comment Period for Proposed Transmission Project in Clay County, NC

Jan 29, 2026

Contact: Tom Satkowiak

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HAYESVILLE, N.C. – The Tennessee Valley Authority recently announced that it is extending the public comment period for proposed transmission system improvements to continue to serve growing electrical load and increase power reliability in the Clay County area of North Carolina.

Blue Ridge Mountain EMC is planning to build a substation on Burnt Schoolhouse Road in Clay County. TVA has proposed to build about 7.7 to 9.5 miles of single-circuit transmission line to serve the new substation. The new line would be built using primarily single-pole structures (with the possibility of two-pole, H-frame structures in hilly areas) centered on a new 100-foot-wide right of way.

TVA hosted a public open house related to the project on Dec. 4, 2025, and a 30-day public comment period also began on that date. Feedback received during the initial comment period provided valuable information to support a thorough analysis of options being considered. TVA will continue to accept feedback until a decision is made on a preferred route later this spring.

Comments can be submitted by contacting TVA's John West toll-free at 800-362-4355, by email at [email protected], or by mail to: John West, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market Street, MR4G, Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801. In addition, TVA has extended the time period that individuals can share comments online.

After the announcement of a preferred route, the TVA siting team will continue dialogue with specifically impacted property owners on any fine adjustments that can be made to the route to minimize impacts. Construction is currently slated to begin in winter/spring 2028, with the project completed and in service in 2029 (dates subject to change).

About TVA

The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA has one of the most diverse energy systems – including nuclear, hydro, coal, gas, solar and advanced technologies. TVA is making significant investments in its power system toward new generation and transmission. 

TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. TVA maintains some of the lowest energy costs and highest reliability in the nation. TVA’s residential rates are lower than those paid by 80% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities, and its industrial rates are lower than those paid by over 90% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities. In addition, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. Learn more at tva.com.

Contact

Tom Satkowiak
TVA Communications
[email protected]
865-696-2897

TVA Media Line

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