South Macon-Scooba-DeKalb, Mississippi

Update – May 2021

TVA has identified the preferred location for a transmission line that would provide electrical power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Macon, Scooba, and DeKalb, Mississippi areas. 

TVA evaluated each route using social, engineering, and environmental factors.  Information sources included available data, aerial photography, limited onsite reviews, public review and comment, and property owner input.  Based on public input and evaluation, the preferred route is expected to have the least overall project impacts of the alternatives.

TVA’s proposed 32.8-mile line would begin at TVA’s existing South Macon 161-kilovolt Switching Station. From there, the first approximately 5.5 miles of the line will be built on the existing right of way of the South Macon-DeKalb No. 1 161-kilovolt Transmission Line beginning at the South Macon Station and ending about 0.2 miles south of the Shuqualak Station.  The line in this section parallels the US Highway 45 corridor initially on the east side for about 2 miles before crossing over to the west side for the last almost 3.5 miles.

• The existing South Macon-DeKalb No. 1 161-kilovolt Transmission Line in this section will be retired and re-built as a double-circuit line with the South Macon-DeKalb No. 1 161-kilovolt Transmission Line being re-built as the west circuit and the new South Macon-DeKalb No. 2 161-kilovolt Transmission Line being built as the east circuit.
• The right of way width in this section is 75 feet but will be widened to 100 feet.  Some additional right of way may need to be acquired outside the Shuqualak Station to provide adequate space for the transmission line modifications near that station.
• The new line in this section will be built using primarily steel, 2- and 3-pole structures.
  

The next section of this proposed line from Shuqualak to Scooba will be built using primarily steel, single-pole structures centered on new 100-foot-wide right of way.

• The first approximately 8.6 miles of this section will primarily parallel US Highway 45 on the west side.
• The route will then cross over to the east side of US Highway 45 for about 4.1 miles before crossing back over to the west side of the highway for the last approximately 0.7 miles before entering EMEPA’s Scooba Station.
  

The majority of the final section of the proposed line from Scooba to DeKalb will be built using primarily steel, single-pole structures centered on 75-foot-wide right of way owned by EMEPA that runs from EMEPA’s existing Scooba Station northwest to Highway 16 for about 2.2 miles and then parallels the highway on the north side for about 6.7 miles before breaking off toward TVA’s DeKalb 161-kilovolt Substation.  The EMEPA right of way that TVA will utilize for this section of the line will be conveyed to TVA prior to construction.

• Once the proposed route on existing EMEPA right of way stops paralleling the north side of Highway 16, it will extend west for about 0.6 miles before paralleling TVA’s existing Kemper-DeKalb 161-kilovolt Transmission Line on the south side for about 2.9 miles. This section will also be on right of way currently owned by EMEPA that will be conveyed to TVA.
• The proposed route will then cross under TVA’s existing Kemper-DeKalb 161-kilovolt Transmission Line in the span between Structures 12 and 13 and will parallel this line on the north side for almost one mile before crossing back over the line in the span between Structures 5 and 6.  From there, the proposed route will extend about one-half mile before entering the DeKalb 161-kilovolt Substation on the south side of the yard.
  

The preferred location for the new line was selected from several options presented online at a virtual open house from December 3, 2020, through January 4, 2021.  Based on public input and evaluation, the preferred route is expected to have the least overall project impacts of the alternatives.

The preferred route consists of Segments 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 14, 30, 31, 18, 19, 24, 25, 27, and 29.  Segments 30 and 31 were identified after the Virtual Open House comment period which was open from December 3, 2020, through January 4, 2021. 

Surveys are scheduled to begin in summer 2022.

Easement purchases are scheduled to begin in summer 2024.

Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2026.

The line is scheduled to be in service in winter 2027-2028.

These dates are subject to change.  Unexpected issues may arise resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.

Background

TVA is considering improvements to its transmission system that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Macon, Scooba, and DeKalb, Mississippi areas.      

This project (South Macon-Scooba-DeKalb) is the second phase of a two-phase project.  The first phase consisted of building the Midway-South Macon 161-kilovolt Transmission Line.  TVA held an Open House November 21, 2019, in Macon, Mississippi, and the preferred route was announced in early 2020.

In this second phase, TVA proposes to build the South Macon-DeKalb No. 2 161-kilovolt Transmission Line which would provide the following benefits:

• Increases dispatch opportunities for Kemper CT Plant to provide power to the local load
• Improves TVA transmission operational flexibility and supports East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s (EMEPA’s) system improvement plan.
  • Strengthens the resiliency of the transmission system with an additional transmission line serving the southern region of the TVA service area in Mississippi.
  • Provides operational flexibility when maintenance or storm restoration activities are ongoing.
  • Supports EMEPA’s plan to replace the 46-kilovolt Scooba and 46-kilovolt DeKalb District Substations with new 161-kilovolt substations.
  • Provides an additional source into Scooba.
  • Reduces transmission losses.
  • Improves telecommunication capabilities in the area.
• Increases power capacity in the EMEPA service territory for economic development.
  • Supports industrial site development in the area.

This project would increase power reliability and support the growing load in the Macon, Scooba, and DeKalb, Mississippi areas.

TVA would build from 32 to 34 miles of 161-kilovolt transmission line beginning at TVA’s existing South Macon 161-kilovolt Switching Station on Highway 45 in Macon.  The new line would first extend southeast toward Scooba and then west to TVA’s existing DeKalb 161-kilovolt Substation on Birch Street in DeKalb.  There will be two tap points on the new line for two new EMEPA substations -- the Scooba 161-kilovolt Metering Station to be located on Highway 45 South and the East DeKalb 161-kilovolt Metering Station to be located on Highway 16 West.   

There are 29 alternative line segments under consideration for the route of the new transmission line.

The new line would consist primarily of steel, single-pole structures centered on existing and new 100-foot-wide right of way.  Where necessary, 2- and 3-pole structures will be used, and the existing 75-foot-wide right of way will be widened to 100 feet.  Additional right of way may be needed for transmission line work that will take place outside the Shuqualak 161-kilovolt Metering Station.

Property owners near and along the alternative transmission line segments have been invited to a virtual open house by mail – including about 177 property owners representing about 302 parcels.

The virtual open house is available from December 3, 2020, through January 4, 2021 at  tvavirtual.com/DeKalb. 

Property owners and members of the public are invited to submit comments and questions about this proposed transmission project through January 4, 2021.

The project is expected to be in service in winter 2027-2028. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2026. (Dates are subject to change. During projects of this magnitude, unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)

TVA held a virtual open house online from December 3, 2020, through January 4, 2021, to present the project.  Within this 30-day comment period, property owners and members of the public were able to submit questions and comments online, in writing, or by telephone.

(Dates are subject to change. During projects of this magnitude, unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)