HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Redstone Arsenal, a big part of the Rocket City, is expecting to increase its electricity with a current project underway. But with a little help, TVA is now proposing a transmission project that would provide power for the arsenal's growing load. And they need the public's input.
Thursday afternoon Tennessee Valley Authority invited Huntsville residents to talk about their proposed project plans.
Shane Beasley, the manager of transmission siting for TVA shared Redstone Arsenal is, "expecting an increase of about 23 megawatts by 2025, up to 39 megawatts by 2026-27."
So, TVA is proposing to build about 3.9 to 4.5 miles of 161-kilovolt power line to serve the arsenal.
"This project is to support load growth and reliability. At Redstone, they're building a fourth substation and they'll be constructing part of the line themselves up to a demarcation point, and then we will make a connection to an existing line on our system and then build a line to that demarcation point," Beasley said.
This will be TVA's third power line to serve Redstone Arsenal.
Right now, TVA is in the public comment phase of this project, showing property owners in this region some of the proposed power line routes they're considering.
"We do a lot of work just to get to this point to present options. And the feedback we get today from property owners will help guide what that preferred route decision looks like," Beasley said.
Beasley added TVA's three main considerations when proposing certain routes "are environmental impact, engineering considerations, and impact to the public."
The public comment period will continue through April 22nd, "from there we move into the route analysis where we determine a preferred route," Beasley said.
TVA expressed a preferred route doesn't mean it's finalized as they continue the dialog with property owners "on any fine adjustments that can be made to the route across their property to minimize impact," Beasley said.
After TVA decides on the preferred route, there's also an ongoing environmental review of the specific line.
"A field survey that will go into the... National Environmental Policy Act review," Beasley said.
TVA estimates construction for this project could begin in the fall of 2025, having the power line in service by the spring of 2026.
Right now, TVA urges the public to check out their proposed plans online and provide comments.