Tennessee Valley Authority
DeSoto County, Mississippi
Power Supply Upgrade
Update: August 2005
TVA has evaluated five alternative routes for the new transmission line using the same environmental, land-use, engineering, and cost considerations for each alternative. The reviews were based on available data, aerial photography, limited onsite reviews, public review and comment, and property owners’ input.
Based on these evaluations, TVA has identified the eastern alternative as its preferred route. (See map) The route has been modified to avoid conflicts with other underground utilities.
The preferred route is approximately 4.2-miles long. The route begins approximately 2.3 miles southeast of the substation site where TVA’s Freeport-Miller 161-kV transmission line crosses Craft Road. The route travels north in the flood plain corridor of Camp Creek Canal to Sandidge Road, near a sand and gravel mining operation. The route then turns west along Sandidge Road, and just south of the county rubbish landfill to the West Pleasant Hill substation site.
The line would be on steel poles on 75-foot right-of-way.
TVA is in the process of contacting property owners along the preferred transmission line route. See the Project Schedule for additional information.
Background
Pleasant Hill, a DeSoto County community in northwest Mississippi, is growing rapidly. The community’s power is supplied primarily from Northcentral Mississipi Electric Power Association’s 161-kilovolt (kV) substation at Mitchell’s Corner, east of Pleasant Hill, and is supplemented by feeder lines from the Olive Branch 161-kV substation.
The area is growing by 2 to 4 percent per year, which is higher than the national average. The growth in power demand threatens to exceed the capacity of the Mitchell’s Corner 161-kV Substation. Several planned developments will impact future growth in Northcentral Mississippi EPA’s western service area, including an industrial park to be operational in 2006 and several commercial developments that will include numerous large retail facilities.
To serve the growing local community, Northcentral Mississippi EPA is planning to build a new 161-kV substation in west Pleasant Hill on the site of its former 46-kV substation. TVA plans to supply power to the new substation by tapping an existing 161-kV transmission line south of the substation site. Depending on the final route selected, approximately three to four miles of transmission line would need to be built to connect the new substation.
The line would be built using steel pole structures on a 75-foot right-of-way. The projected in-service date for the new transmission line is June 2007.
By continuing to provide affordable, reliable power, TVA and Northcentral Mississippi EPA will help ensure continued economic health and residential and commercial growth in the area.
Public involvement
TVA’s process for siting new transmission projects is designed to afford substantial public input at all stages. TVA is committed to working with area stakeholders to address concerns during the course of the project.
TVA held an open house for the proposed transmission line project in Pleasant Hill onThursday, June 9, 2005 to receive comments on the potential of the proposed action to affect the environment and/or historic properties and would like to identify any other issues associated with this proposal. These comments were used in reaching a decision on location of the project.
Map
The map is a PDF file requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please use the zoom tool to view details of the section maps and allow time for them to reload. If you have questions or need help understanding the map, please contact TVA (see contact information at top right).
The map shows the preferred route TVA is now studying for the proposed transmission line.
Map (939 kb, PDF)
Environmental reviews
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: June 9, 2005
- Comments accepted: through July 11, 2005
- Determine preferred route for field surveys: August 2005
- Begin contacting property owners for permission to survey: Fall 2005
- Begin field surveys and environmental reviews: Fall 2005
- Complete environmental review: Spring 2006
- Begin right-of-way acquisitions: Summer 2006
- Begin construction: Winter 2006-07
- Line in service: June 2007
Related information
Electric and magnetic fields and their effects
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)