KNOXVILLE, Tenn.  – The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking for public input on proposed transmission system upgrades to provide necessary power for growing load demand and continued power reliability in Knox and Loudon counties in Tennessee.

Hardin Valley is the fastest growing area in Knox County. A new transmission line and substation are needed to resolve capacity issues as the population continues to grow.

TVA proposes to invest approximately $7.1 million to build 5 to 6.5 miles of single-circuit transmission line from the Watt Road-Oak Ridge National Laboratory 161-kilovolt transmission line northeast to the new Hardin Valley 161-kilovolt substation planned by Lenoir City Utilities Board. The new line would be built using primarily steel, single-pole structures centered on new 100-foot-wide right of way. Three alternative tap points and numerous alternative segments are under consideration for the route of the new line. 

TVA is committed to working with area stakeholders during the course of the project and encourages public input. Property owners are encouraged to access the virtual open house at TVAvirtual.com/HardinValley between Oct. 22 and Nov. 23, 2020. Property owners will be able to submit questions and comments.

Information about the project can be found at here, including detailed maps showing the different locations being considered for the proposed transmission line.

The public may also submit comments by contacting TVA’s Todd Liskey toll free at 800‑362-4355, by email at newtransline@tva.gov or by mail to:  Todd Liskey, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market St., MR 4G, Chattanooga, TN, 37402-2801. The deadline for comments is November 23, 2020.  

TVA is investing $2.2 billion Valley-wide in transmission system improvements between 2019 and 2024 to build the energy grid of the future that will continue to provide, clean, low cost, reliable power.

For more information about TVA and its 87-year mission of service to the Tennessee Valley, click here.