By Marcia Barnes
Staff Writer
Tennessee Valley Authority's commenting period asking the public for input on a proposed new transmission project in Shooting Creek began Dec. 4 at the TVA Open House in Towns County, Ga. The 30-day commenting period will end Jan. 5. The number of responses have surpassed 150 comments so far.
Landowners received letters regarding the proposed transmission route which would tie into a new Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation substation on Burnt Schoolhouse Road in Clay County. The 140 letters had been mailed prior to the open house media invitation.
The six-hour event gave landowners and the public an opportunity to discuss the project with TVA siting engineers, to ask questions and to comment. Two hundred and eighty-one registered guests attended giving their contact information. The number of guests was about 300 local citizens and included government officials.
Questions about the project ranged from why additional power capacity was needed and what alternatives were available to supply an increase of power in the area. Comments will continue to be accepted through Monday, Jan. 5. Any comments received, including names and addresses will become part of the administrative record. For information or to submit comments: John West, Siting Engineering, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market Street (MR 4G), Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801.