By Marcia Barnes
Staff Writer
The Tennessee Valley Authority announced last week they are extending the commenting period on the Shooting Creek transmission project.
The proposed project for transmission system improvements to serve the growing electrical load in the Clay County area was announced earlier when TVA hosted a public open house on Dec. 4, 2025. A 30-day public comment period also began on that date and that period has now been extended.
Feedback received during the initial commenting period provided valuable information to support a thorough analysis of options being considered, according to Tom Satkowiak, TVA Senior Strategic Communicator, who sent a media advisory last week on the extension for public comments.
The open house in December announced the proposed project for an additional Blue Ridge Mountain EMC substation on Burnt Schoolhouse Road in Clay County and building about 7.7 to 9.5 miles of single-circuit transmission line to serve the new substation. The line would be built primarily using single-pole structures and possibly two-pole, H-frame structures in hilly areas centered on a new 100-foot wide right of way.
The extended commenting period means that the TVA will continue to accept feedback until a decision is made on a preferred route later this spring. Comments can be submitted by contacting TVA's John West toll free at (800) 362-4355, by email at: newtransline@tva.gove, or by mail to: John West, Tennessee
Valley Authortity
1101 Market Street, MR4G
Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801
In addition, TVA has extended the time period that individuals can share comments through its online virtual open house.
The media advisory extending the commenting period on the Shooting Creek project stated that after the announcement of a preferred route, the TVA siting team will continue dialogue with specifically impacted property owners on any fine adjustments that can be made to the route to minimize impacts.
Construction is slated to begin in winter/spring 2028, with the project completed and in service in 2029, with dates subject to change.