69-kV substation and transmission line project
EKPC plans to construct an electric transmission line and substation in Jackson and Madison counties to improve service reliability for Blue Grass Energy members in southeastern Madison County.
Big Hill to Three Links
Frequently Asked Questions about the Big Hill substation and transmission line project
This is a project to construct approximately 8.5 miles of new 69-kilovolt electric transmission line in Jackson and Madison counties, as well as the new Big Hill distribution substation to be constructed near the intersection of Ky. 421 and Red Lick Road in Madison County.
The line will extend approximately 8.5 miles from EKPC’s existing Three Links – Sand Gap electric transmission line, near the intersection of Johnson Road and Threelinks County Line Road in Jackson County, north to a location near the intersection of Ky. 421 and Red Lick Road in Madison County. EKPC plans to acquire a 100-footwide right-of-way for the new transmission line.
This project will help to maintain reliable electric service for Blue Grass Energy members and alleviate system constraints. Currently, most electric cooperative members in southeastern Madison County, including the areas east and southeast of Berea, are served from a substation that feeds electricity to 4,100 meters, more than any other substation in EKPC’s system. The substation is close to becoming overloaded, so EKPC is taking steps to prevent that from happening. The new Big Hill substation will serve approximately 1,500 meters in the vicinity of the Red Lick, Big Hill and Pilot Knob communities from a new segment of transmission line feeding electricity from the south. This will provide more flexibility to serve these homes with electricity from either the south or the north, reducing the risk of outages.
This project will use a mix of single- and double-pole construction. Below are drawings of the typical structures that will be used for the project. EKPC plans to use either weathered steel poles or wooden poles for this project. On the two-pole structure shown below, the pole-to-pole separation is 15 and a half feet.
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- Open House conducted – Sept. 21, 2023
- Corridor mapping/surveying – October 2023 to December 2023
- Right-of-way negotiations – Ongoing
- Structure stakeout – 2026
- Tree clearing & construction – 2026
While burying lines is more pleasing to the eye and protects them from ice and weather, the cost of burying transmission lines is prohibitive. Line repairs are also extremely difficult and time consuming. It can cost as much as 10 times more to construct underground transmission lines.
After the Open House, EKPC will finalize a centerline for the power line. Affected property owners will be notified. If your property is affected, EKPC will seek permission to conduct a survey to confirm the centerline. Negotiations then begin on a payment to affected landowners for the right to run the line across their land. Our goal is always to minimize costs and the impact upon you and your community.
EKPC uses an objective methodology and computer model developed to strike a balance between a number of factors, including community impacts, geography, environmental impacts and costs. The factors considered in the model were developed with public input and we are able to incorporate public input as we refine the route location.
If your property is crossed by this project, EKPC will seek to purchase an easement that allows the cooperative to locate its poles and wires on your property, and to enter the property as needed for maintenance. For this project, EKPC plans to purchase an easement for a 100-footwide right-of-way. The property owner will continue to own and use the property. The easement allows EKPC to clear and control trees within the right-of-way, as well as other trees that could interfere with transmission lines, and prevents structures from being constructed in the right-of-way.
We conduct a market analysis of the area based on recent property sales and assess the impact the line would have on any particular property.
Our professionals will work with you respectfully, and we will work closely with each property owner who is affected by any phase of the construction. It is our goal to make sure that property owners are well-informed about the project and have ample opportunity to discuss it with us.
Our biologists do extensive work prior to project construction in order to assess the environmental impact. The biologists work to ensure EKPC minimizes and avoids impacting endangered plants and animals during line construction.
To ensure safety and reliability, EKPC must prevent trees and woody vegetation from growing into or near the wires of its transmission lines. Consistent with best practices of the utility industry, EKPC typically removes trees and woody vegetation when it builds transmission lines, then maintains trees and brush using EPA-approved herbicides administered via low-volume backpack spraying by licensed applicators. For this project, EKPC is committed to mechanically clearing and using mechanical maintenance methods for the entirety of the line’s right-of-way rather than using herbicides to control woody vegetation. This addresses concerns about use of herbicides around water sources.
The Rural Utilities Service, an agency that administers the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Programs (USDA Rural Development), must ensure that EKPC meets appropriate environmental obligations including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act and the Endangered Species Act. The proposed project constitutes a federal action subject to review in accordance with Rural Development’s Environmental Policy and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1970) for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Per Section 1970.54 of these regulations, the proposed project meets the criteria for a categorically excluded proposal requiring the preparation of a site-specific Environmental Report (ER). EKPC anticipates this will be completed in mid-2024.
EKPC has initiated the process of gathering information and site-specific documentation required by NEPA. At this time, EKPC has reached out to interested parties to identify and solicit information from those who may have an interest in the project. The environmental analysis will include documentation of the affected environment within the proposed project area, the environmental impacts of the proposed action, and any mitigation of environmental impacts.
The NEPA analysis enables RUS to evaluate the environmental effects of a proposed categorically excluded project, and to make a decision regarding the significance of the environmental impacts of the proposed action. RUS must ensure that EKPC meets the appropriate environmental obligations, including regulatory compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and other environmental mandates.
The input of the community and affected property owners is of primary concern. We host open houses to share and gather information, and we strive to keep property owners and others fully informed about construction projects.
Pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, on behalf of USDA Rural Utilities Service, has sought to identify persons who are interested in participating in the process for evaluating the potential effects of this proposed project on historic properties located in the project area that are listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Participation as a consulting party in the Section 106 review process was solicited from people who have a legal or economic relation to properties that will be affected by the proposed project, or a demonstrable interest in the historic built and/or archaeological environment in the project area.