News Summary
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has announced plans for a new 19-mile power transmission line crossing Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties. Intended to enhance energy reliability, the line will connect the Clay and Artesia substations. TVA aims to facilitate regional economic development and improve grid flexibility to attract businesses. Community feedback has shaped the planned route, with surveys and easement acquisitions scheduled for the future. The project will support significant local growth, including the new Aluminum Dynamics mill set to open in Summer 2025.
West Point, MS – The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has announced plans for a new 19-mile power transmission line that will traverse Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties. This announcement was made on Wednesday, outlining the proposed route intended to bolster energy reliability and support regional economic development.
The preferred route of the transmission line will connect the Clay Substation located at 2740 TVA Road in West Point to the Artesia Substation at 1280 Mims Road in Columbus. This infrastructure project is part of TVA’s commitment to enhance the overall reliability of the power grid and expand access to energy generation resources.
According to TVA, the new transmission line is a strategic move designed to improve grid flexibility, which in turn will attract businesses and aid in job creation in the affected communities. The line’s construction will primarily involve single and double pole structures along a 100-foot-wide right-of-way.
TVA plans to engage with property owners along the selected route to secure the necessary easements for construction, operation, and maintenance of the power line. Property owners will receive payments at fair market value for these easements, ensuring that their property rights are respected during this process.
The proposed route for the transmission line was determined after taking into account public input from open houses held in November and virtual consultations conducted from November 14 to December 16. The TVA also completed an assessment of the environmental, social, and engineering impacts related to the route selection.
However, the planned route is still pending a review under the National Environmental Policy Act, which must be completed before construction can begin. TVA anticipates starting surveys in Fall 2025 and aims to initiate easement acquisitions during Winter 2025. Construction is tentatively scheduled to commence by Summer 2027, with an estimated completion date in Summer 2028.
This new power line is expected to benefit growth and reliability in Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties significantly. The line will support the new Aluminum Dynamics mill projected to open in Summer 2025, as confirmed by local economic development representatives. Additionally, there are plans to connect the transmission line to CINCO, a new TVA-certified Megasite being developed over 1,500 acres north of Highway 82.
While outages may occur during the construction period, TVA will schedule them in a manner that minimizes disruptions to customers, typically targeting off-peak load seasons for any necessary interruptions.
For more information about the project, including an informational map, residents are encouraged to visit the TVA website at tva.com/transmissionprojects.
This project marks a significant step towards modernizing the energy infrastructure in the region and enhancing energy security in the Tennessee Valley, paving the way for future investments and community growth.
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Additional Resources
- C Dispatch: Location Announced for Planned 19-Mile Power Line
- Wikipedia: Power Transmission
- D Journal: TVA Proposes 19-Mile Transmission Line from Clay to Lowndes Counties
- Google Search: Power Transmission Infrastructure
- WCBI: TVA Announces Preferred Route for New Transmission in GTR
- Google Scholar: Transmission Line Projects
- C Dispatch: Solar Triangle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Energy Infrastructure
- C Dispatch: SOCSD Becomes Second District to Leave GTECHS
- Google News: Transmission Projects
- C Dispatch: Baptist Minister Leads Association
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
