Tennessee Valley Authority
Cookeville, Tennessee
Power Supply Upgrade
Update: May 2008
A Finding of No Significant Impacthas been issued for the environmental assessment. The preferred route has one modification from the draft EA. A section of the alternative route in the vicinity of Buck Mountain has been modified. See map.
The preferred route begins at TVA’s existing South Cookeville-Monterey 161-kilovolt transmission line just north of interstate I-40 and east of Popular Grove road. The route runs north crossing Popular Grove road and continues along Mount Pleasant road for approximately 3/4 of mile. The route leaves the road and crosses Buck Mountain road approximately 3/4 of a mile west of the intersection of Buck Mountain, Mount Pleasant, and Parragon road. From there the route continues northeast crossing Parragon road before continuing north for approximately 3/4 of a mile. The route then turns northeast, crossing Parragon road and the White Plains Plantation & Golf Course subdivision before heading due east to the Algood Substation.
Construction is scheduled to be complete by June 30, 2008.
Update: December 2007
The comment period for the draft environmental assessment has been extended to January 15, 2008.
Update: November 2007
A draft environmental assessment evaluating several alternative routes for the line will be available for review beginning Thursday, November 29, 2007.
A copy of the assessment is also available by mail by contacting the person listed below. TVA is interested in receiving comments on the draft environmental assessment. These comments will be used in completing the environmental assessment and reaching a decision concerning the route of the transmission line. All comments on the draft environmental assessment need to be received by TVA no later than Monday, December 31, 2007. Comments should be directed to:
Jim Williamson, Senior NEPA Specialist
400 W. Summit Hill Dr. (WT 11D)
Knoxville, TN 37916-1499
865-632-6418 E-mail:
jfwilliamson@tva.gov
Update: April 2007
TVA has evaluated 17 alternative routes for the new transmission line to power Upper Cumberland EMC’s upgraded Algood Substation. The same considerations — environmental, land-use, engineering, and cost — were used to assess each alternative. The reviews were based on available data, aerial photography, onsite reviews, public review and comment, and property owners’ input.
Based on these evaluations, TVA has identified Alternative Route 1 as the preferred route. Alternative Route 1 consists of Segment 1 (see map 2). This route is expected to have the fewest overall impacts. To learn more about TVA’s transmission line routing process and how the decision on this project was reached, see this fact sheet (107 kb, PDF).
The proposed route begins at TVA’s existing South Cookeville-Monterey 161-kilovolt transmission line and travels north, then west to the Algood Substation, which is located at 260 First Avenue in Algood. The route is about 5.2 miles long and affects about 18 property tracts. The line will be built using steel poles, similar to the one shown in the photograph below.
Background
A new transmission line is needed to maintain reliable electric service, meet growing demand, and avoid possible power supply disruptions to the Cookeville-Algood area.
The area is experiencing significant growth. Nearly eight megawatts of new load — commercial, industrial, and residential — is projected for the area by the summer of 2008. (Eight megawatts powers about 5,000 average-sized homes in the Tennessee Valley for a year.) This additional demand will overload existing electrical facilities.
To meet the growth, Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation plans to upgrade the 69-kilovolt Algood Substation to 161 kilovolts. TVA will build four to five miles of transmission line to power the substation.
The line would extend from TVA’s existing South Cookeville-Monterey 161-kilovolt transmission line, which parallels I-40 on the north side, to the Algood Substation, which is located about four miles north of that line at 260 First Avenue in Algood.
The transmission line would consist of single steel-pole structures centered on a new 100-foot right-of-way.
The new facilities are expected to be in service by the summer of 2008. See the project schedule.
By continuing to provide reliable, affordable power, TVA and the distributors of TVA power will help ensure continued economic health and growth in the area.
Why is the Algood transmission line needed?
Public involvement
TVA held an open house on February 6 to provide information, answer questions, and take comments about the proposed transmission line project. The 30-day comment period was extended by a week in response to requests for more time to provide input.
TVA’s process for siting new transmission projects is designed to allow public input at all stages. TVA is committed to working with area stakeholders to address concerns during the course of the project.
Maps
The map is a PDF file requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader. Use the zoom tool to view details of the map, and allow time for it to reload. If you have questions or need help understanding the map, please contact TVA.
This map shows the network of alternative routes TVA has considered for the proposed transmission line.
Map 1 (PDF, 408 kb)
This map shows the preferred route. This route has been modified from what was shown at the open house to further minimize the impacts on land use, property owners, and the environment.
Map 2 (PDF, 360 kb).
Environmental reviews
The appropriate National Environmental Policy Act reviews 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.
Project schedule
Open house: February 6, 2007
Comments accepted with one-week extension: Through March 16, 2007
Determine preferred route for field surveys: Early spring 2007
Begin contacting property owners for permission to survey: Late spring 2007
Begin field surveys and environmental reviews: Summer 2007
Begin right-of-way acquisitions: Winter 2007-08
Begin construction: Spring 2008
Line in service: June 2008
Related information
Frequently asked questions about TVA right-of-way
Benefits of planting native shrubs and grasses in utility rights-of-way.
- Landscaping with native shrubs (PDF file, 879 kb)
- Landscaping with native grasses (PDF file, 644 kb)
Fact sheet on electric and magnetic fields and their effects.