Tennessee Valley Authority proposes DeKalb County transmission line

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is seeking public input regarding a proposed transmission line project in DeKalb County. The project aims to serve a new Cherokee Electric Cooperative substation in Crossville, intended to meet rising electricity demand and improve regional reliability. The proposal involves a 6 to 8-mile single-circuit transmission line within a new 100-foot-wide right of way.

In a broader strategic context, the TVA Board of Directors recently approved the 2026 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which anticipates a need for 11 to 32 gigawatts of additional generation capacity by 2040. To support this growth and maintain energy security, the TVA has approved a fiscal year 2027 budget that facilitates over $13 billion in investments over the next three years. This includes annual allocations of more than $1 billion for the existing fleet and transmission systems, alongside plans to build over 4,100 megawatts of new generation capacity.