STANTON, Tenn. – The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking for public input on proposed transmission system improvements to provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the west Tennessee area served by Chickasaw Electric Cooperative and Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation.

TVA proposes to invest about $115 million to build the new South Covington 161-kV Switching Station and approximately 21 to 24 miles of new double circuit 161-kV transmission line from the new TVA Stanton 500-kV Substation to the new South Covington 161-kV Switching Station. One side of the double circuit line would provide power to Southwest Tennessee EMC’s Mason Substation, which the utility will upgrade to 161-kV operation. The new line would be built using primarily single- and double-pole (H-frame), steel structures on a combination of existing and new right of way.  TVA would also make other improvements to existing facilities to further improve power reliability.

TVA is committed to working with area stakeholders and encourages public input.  The public is invited to attend an open house any time between 3 and 7 p.m., local time, on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, at the Haywood County EMS and Fire Station, 3427 Keeling Road (TN-222), in Stanton. Detailed maps showing the different locations being considered for the proposed switching station and transmission line will be available.  TVA staff will answer questions, discuss concerns, and receive comments.  More information is available at tva.com/transmissionprojects.  TVA is also providing a virtual open house at tvavirtual.com/covington through Nov. 27, 2023, for those who are not able to attend the open house.

The public may also submit comments by contacting TVA’s Todd Liskey toll-free at 800-362-4355, by email at [email protected] or by mail to:  Todd Liskey, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market Street, MR 4G, Chattanooga, TN, 37402-2801.  The deadline for comments is Nov. 27, 2023.

TVA reports the region’s population growth is three times higher than the national average. To help ensure power reliability in the three-county area, in October 2024, TVA will commission the new Stanton 500-kV Substation – which is one of the largest in the TVA system. TVA is also building 3,800 megawatts of new generation by 2028 and investing $2.8 billion in transmission system improvements across its service area through 2027, to build the energy grid of the future that will continue to provide reliable, affordable, resilient and clean energy.

For more information about TVA and its 90-year mission of service to the Tennessee Valley, click here.