The Tennessee Valley Authority held an open house last Thursday afternoon at White House First United Methodist Church displaying plans and proposals for a new 161 kV line and substation soon to service the area. Although some of the 356 invitees were hopefully anticipating quick cash in exchange for easements across their land, others approached in fear of losing their homes.

Bowling Green resident Allan Larsen staged a respectful protest outside the meeting’s main entry point hoping to warn White House residents to protect themselves from suffering his fate. For the past year Larsen has seen the value of his home destroyed by the placement of numerous 100 feet tall electrical poles, similar to those being proposed for White House, on three sides of his home. His compensation was a mere $700.00.

“My goal is to try to educate everybody I possibly can about what could happen,” he explained to curious onlookers. “There are plenty of other options available to TVA to bring power to homes. Don’t let this happen to you.”

Property owners, city officials and area politicians were invited to the open house in order to provide an opportunity for every person potentially impacted to voice his or her opinions on the matter. From now until September 29 TVA will be accepting information and comments by way of a special survey, available from Location Engineer Todd Moore at 1-800-362-4355. According to TVA representatives, input from the community combined with cost and anticipated impact will be used to determine which of the thirty-four potential routes will be selected.

“We look for the least impact to property owners, the environment and the community as a whole,” expressed TVA Senior Consultant Myra Ireland.

With the existing lines and substation at capacity as well as aging after sixty-seven years of use, a new higher voltage line and substation is in order to accommodate the growth the area is experiencing. Because the current line is the only source of power to White House and surrounding communities, a simple replacement with the new poles and lines has been determined all but impossible by TVA engineers. Instead, a new line will originate from one of three identified tap points and run to the Sage Road location along an entirely new line of easements purchased from landowners according to an appraiser’s determination of fair market value.

There are 510 parcels of land facing potential impact from the combined 34 alternatives. These parcels include those surrounding I-65 at the proposed new White House interchange. Local officials were on hand at the meeting to make sure TVA was aware of the city’s long-term plans for the area.

A decision will be made this fall after land owners are contacted and the most feasible option is determined. To voice an opinion or to find out more about the proposed lines, visit www.tva.com/power/projects.