LEBANON, Tenn. – The Tennessee Valley Authority has identified a preferred location for a new transmission line in Wilson and Rutherford Counties that would prepare for growth, increase power reliability, and help provide cleaner energy. The selected route is expected to have the least impact on the area, based on public input from the in-person open house and virtual open house and additional evaluation of other factors, including social, environmental and engineering impacts. A National Environmental Policy Act review is also pending.

TVA’s new power line will begin at a tap point on TVA’s Lebanon-Murfreesboro Transmission Line, near the corner of Powells Chapel Road and State Hwy 452, and extend west to the new Fall Creek Substation planned by Middle Tennessee Electric in Rutherford County.  The project would be less than 3 miles and built using primarily single-pole, steel structures on new 100-foot-wide right of way.

Based on feedback and additional information received regarding potential environmental impacts, the preferred route has been adjusted slightly from what was proposed at an open house April 25, 2024, and a virtual open house held from April 25 to May 27, 2024; however, no additional property owners will be affected.  

TVA will meet with property owners along the proposed right of way to obtain easements for construction, operation, and maintenance of the line. Property owners would still own the property and be compensated for the easements at fair market value.

TVA is expected to begin surveys in spring 2025 and start acquiring easements in summer 2026. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 and be completed in summer 2027. A map of the project and additional information are available on the TVA website at tva.com/transmissionprojects.

TVA reports the region is growing three times faster than the national average and the  University of Tennessee’s Baker School projects our region’s population to grow 22% by 2050. To support this growth on a local level, TVA is investing $2.8 billion to strengthen the power grid across its service area through 2027. With nearly 60% of TVA’s energy already carbon-free, these power grid improvements will help ensure the region’s energy security as the agency provides reliable, affordable, resilient, and clean energy.

To help homeowners and businesses save money on their energy bills, learn more about how TVA is offering rebates and incentives at  energyright.com/rebates.