By Becky Long
Publisher
Commissioners agree they “strongly oppose” TVA’s transmission improvement project proposed in the Shooting Creek community in its current form.
County attorney Merinda Woody drafted a resolution that was unanimously adopted at their Dec. 4 meeting. It was signed by Chairman Rob Peck on behalf of the board.
“The Clay County Board of Commissioners hereby expresses its strong opposition to the TVA and Blue Ridge Mountain EMC proposed transmission line project in its current form, including the route proposals, due to the procedural, environmental, aesthetic, and economic concerns,” according to the resolution.
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC is facing transformer and line capacity issues with its current distribution system, particularly in the Shooting Creek area, served by the Hayesville and Wood Grove substations, according to TVA.
The project would involve TVA building a new 161 KV transmission tap for the Shooting Creek substation. While BRMEMC constructs the substation with at least four circuits connecting to existing distribution lines.
TVA proposes to build about 7.7 to 9.5 miles of single-circuit, 161-kilovolt power line to serve the new station. The proposed power line would begin somewhere along the line between TVA’s Hayesville and Woods Grove stations at a point either near the Hayesville station or near Chatuge Dam. TVA says from the connection point, TVA’s new line would extend east to BRMEMC’s Shooting Creek Substation. Commissioners also agreed more time is needed to for public awareness and input regarding the project.
The public comment period ends Jan. 5, 2026. Comments should be mailed to John West, siting engineer, Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market Street (MR 4G) Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801. You can email: newtransline@tva.gov to the attention of John West or visit tva.com/transmissionprojects.
“It’s very important thing happening to our county,” said Woody. “We want everyone to be aware of it.”
Part of the problem with the current proposal is that TVA would need right of ways and build transmission lines across private properties. They say in addition, it would destroy the views many property owners have of Lake Chatuge.
“This seems like it came out of nowhere,” said Commissioner Clay Logan.
“They should put that sucker under the lake,” Logan said. “They say it’s not feasible, in my opinion it is. Put it under water.”
TVA held an open house on Dec. 4 in Towns County where the public could come and ask questions regarding the transmission project at various informational booths. The county manager, attorney and some commissioners attended.
The public comment deadline was set by TVA for Jan. 5; however, commissioners contend many were not aware of it. Those whose property will be affected by the project received letters in the mail.
In the resolution, Clay County Board of Commissioners called upon TVA and BRMEMC to immediately extend the public comment period by no less than 90 days beyond the original deadline of Jan. 5, 2026, with enhanced notice efforts including additional direct mailings and other forms of notification to all affected landowners, multilingual outreach, further virtual and in-person forums across Clay County and transparent disclosure of all environmental impact studies, engineering reports, and demand projections.
“I want to go on record opposing what’s currently going on,” said Commissioner Scotty Penland.
“We don’t want to deny anyone power. Shooting Creek needs power, but it makes me want to ask more questions. I stand against the current proposed drawing,” said Vice Chairman Randy Nichols.
See Marcia Barnes detailed story about the project on the front page. Also, the full resolution adopted by commissioners and sent to TVA and Blue Ridge EMC among other agencies appears on page A5 of this issue.
Other matters before the commission board included:
• Rob Peck was re-appointed chairman and Randy Nichols vice chairman on a motion made by Scotty Penland. “It’s worked well, I don’t see any reason to change it,” he said.
• Hayesville’s new Mayor Benita England was recognized at the meeting. She spoke of the importance of a good working relationship between the town and the county.
• A proposal for the honorary naming of a 3.1 miles section of Fires Creek after former commissioner, realtor and book author Edward L. Roach was tabled to Jan. 8 on a motion from Logan.
• Clay County Health Department received a strong audit of their lab in October with zero noncompliance issues reported.
• Vaya Health is working with the sheriff’s office to provide a new way to respond to people in crisis to try to reduce the number of people going to the ER or detention center. This would be done by hiring a trained crisis intervention partner to go with officers on calls that may involve a mental health or drug challenge. The program would involve embedding two clinicians with the sheriff’s office to respond to mental health/drug related calls. The goal is to provide better long-term outcomes. While commissioners were receptive to the program, they asked the county attorney to research and find out what, if any, liability issues might arise for the county.
Commissioners meet at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the courthouse.