TVA Announces Clay County, NC Proposed Transmission Route Location

Jul 13, 2026

Contact: Adam May

Share this Story

Release Summary

The transmission line would increase power reliability and support the growing load in Clay County, NC.
Public feedback and additional information informed the preferred route selection.
TVA will meet with property owners, and survey work is expected to begin in fall/winter 2026.
A map of the project is attached, and additional information is available on the TVA website at tva.com/transmissionprojects.

SHOOTING CREEK, NC – The Tennessee Valley Authority has identified a preferred location for a new transmission line in Clay County, North Carolina, that would increase power reliability in the community and help support growing load. The selected route is expected to have the least impact on the area based on public input received from the in-person and virtual open houses with additional evaluation of other factors, including social, environmental and engineering impacts. A National Environmental Policy Act review is also pending.

TVA’s new power line will tap the future Hayesville – Woods Grove 161-kV line outside the Hayesville station. The line will head east and cross the Hiawassee River and Hwy 64 before heading northeast. The line will cross mountainous terrain before coming back across Hwy 64 to the new Shooting Creek substation site. The final tap arrangement will consist of two motor-operated disconnects and one manual switch. The new line will be a single-circuit 161-kV line utilizing 100-wide right-of-way. The new substation will be constructed by Blue Ridge Mountain EMC off Burnt Schoolhouse Road.

The preferred route has not been adjusted from what was proposed at the open house on Dec. 4, 2025, and a virtual open house was held from December 2025 through June 2026; no additional property owners will be affected.

TVA will meet with property owners along the proposed right of way to obtain easements for construction, operation and maintenance of the line. Property owners would still own the property and be compensated for the easements at fair market value.

TVA is expected to begin surveys in fall/winter 2026 and start acquiring easements summer/fall 2027. Construction is scheduled to begin in winter/spring 2028 and be completed in 2029. A map of the project is attached, and additional information is available on the TVA website at tva.com/transmissionprojects.

About TVA

The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA has one of the most diverse energy systems – including nuclear, hydro, coal, gas, and advanced technologies. TVA is making significant investments in its power system toward new generation and transmission. 

TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding and deriving virtually all of its revenue from electricity sales. TVA maintains some of the lowest energy costs and highest reliability in the nation. TVA’s residential rates are lower than those paid by almost 80% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities, and its industrial rates are lower than those paid by over 90% of customers of the top 100 U.S. utilities. In addition, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. Learn more at tva.com.

Contact

Adam May
TVA Media Relations
[email protected]
865-632-6000

TVA Media Line

Our media staff is available 24 hours a day. If you cannot reach the contact above, please call our media line at 865-632-6000.