The Tennessee Valley Authority will conduct a public meeting to receive comments on the potential environmental effects of a proposed power supply improvement project in Putnam, Cumberland and neighboring counties in central East Tennessee.

Either a new 500-kV substation or extensive 161-kV transmission upgrades will be required in Putnam and Cumberland counties by 2016 to meet anticipated power loads.

The population of Putnam and Cumberland counties has grown nearly 1.8 percent per year since 2000. Most existing transmission facilities in the area will not meet acceptable voltage criteria by 2016, and by 2019 all facilities are expected to be overloaded.

TVA is seeking comments on the scope of the project and what kind of environmental review will be necessary. TVA will consider these comments in drafting an Environmental Impact Statement or other form of environmental review.