Tennessee Valley Authority will host an open house session next week to begin gathering public input for a proposed new transmission line in the Golden Triangle.
TVA is considering the new line, which would stretch from the West Columbus Switching Station to a proposed 161-kilovolt switching station near Artesia, to provide power to the Infinity Megasite. The line would be 11 to 13 miles long and built using single steel poles center on 100-foot wide right of way.
The Infinity Megasite is a 1,444 acre site for industrial economic development, located west of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport.
TVA is encouraging public input on the project. The authority is holding an open house from 3-7 p.m. on Jan. 18 at the Lowndes County School District Central Office at 1053 Highway 45 South. Detailed maps showing the proposed routes will be available at the open house session, and TVA staff will answer questions, discuss concerns and accept comments from participants.
Scott Brooks, a TVA spokesperson, said the authority will take the public input into consideration as it continues to plan the transmission line route.
“We’re looking for comments and concerns about the different routes for the proposed line,” Brooks said. “We always look at more than one option. Folks can come, and we encourage folks to come down, and interact and talk to TVA staff.”
Those who can’t make it to the open house meeting can also submit comments or concerns by phone at 800-362-4355, email at [email protected], or by mail to Kelly Evans, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market St., MR 4G, Chattanooga, TN, 37402-2801. TVA is accepting comments until Feb. 20.
“We try to give the public as much opportunity as we can to have their say,” Brooks said.
More information about the proposed line is available at https://www.tva.com/transmissionprojects under the “Artesia, Mississippi” heading.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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