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Public Open House February 20, 2013 U of A Monticello Gibson University Center 346 University Drive, Monticello, AR 4 7 P.M. Proposed Monticello East to Reed 230 kV Transmission Line
Improved Electrical Reliability in Southeast Arkansas
The areas in southeast Arkansas which include Monticello and other communities in Drew and Desha Counties have been very successful at continuing to expand existing economic infrastructure as well as promoting new business for the region. Entergy Arkansas, Inc. is pleased to be a part of this success by providing efficient and reliable electricity to industrial, commercial, agricultural, and residential customers that meets the regions needs today and for years to come. To support continued reliability of the system, it is necessary to periodically build new structures and upgrade existing electrical facilities to carry power from where it is generated to where it will be used. Entergy Arkansas Inc. is planning to construct a new transmission line and upgrade existing transmission lines and switching stations to 230 kV within the southeast Arkansas region. The current project consists of constructing a new 230 kV transmission line between two existing substations in Drew and Desha Counties. The new line, approximately 22 miles in length, will
extend between the existing Monticello East Substation in Monticello and the Reed Switching Station in Desha County near US Highway 65. Monticello East Substation is located at 151 Downing Street in Monticello, Arkansas 71655. The proposed new transmission line will have highly efficient and reliable terminal facilities consisting of circuit switching, and protective relaying devices at the existing substations. These new and upgraded 230 kV facilities will enhance voltage levels and service reliability to all the areas in Drew and Desha Counties.
Red Field, Ritchie Steam Electric Station at Helena, Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station at Greenville, Mississippi, and the AECC Dam #2 Hydro Electric Station on the Arkansas River. These improvements will protect the southeast Arkansas area from potential under-voltages and thermal overload problems that would result from the loss of a single line contingency, and also will facilitate needed periodic maintenance outages to the existing Entergy Arkansas transmission system. This project is being coordinated with an overall expansion of the transmission facilities for southeast Arkansas that include: Constructing a new 115 kV transmission line between AECC Dam #2 Hydro Generation Station and Gillett Substation; Constructing a new 230 kV transmission line between Lake Village Substation and Reed Switching Station; Constructing a new 230 kV transmission line between Monticello East and Watson Chapel and Woodward Substations; and Constructing a new 230 kV transmission line between Woodward Substation and the White Bluff Steam Electric Station.
Notice to landowners - All landowners of record within reasonable distance from the potential transmission line routing segments(s) have been notified by first class mail. This notification included an invitation to the open house and a transmission line route map that depicts existing and alternative transmission line segments and substations as well as a photograph of a typical transmission line structure. Several factors must be considered when embarking on a project of this scale, including: Construction costs. Terrain and ease of access affect construction costs. All construction costs become part of the rate base and are, therefore, eventually paid by customers. The current estimated cost of the planned transmission line project is approximately $49 million; Right-of-way for the new transmission line. Entergy will design its new transmission line under its existing standards for 230 kV right-of-way, which is 125 feet wide based on utilization of single-pole steel or concrete structures. Additional right-of-way may be required above the 125 feet range to accommodate guy wires for angle structures and cutting of danger trees (refer to page 8 of brochure); Aesthetic considerations and other environmental factors. Single modular steel or concrete poles will be used to provide tangent, angle turns, and dead-ends for the transmission line. These types of transmission line structures were selected to minimize the aesthetic displeasure of the installation; Health and safety. Safety is a priority with Entergy and, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the National Electrical Safety Code, the company will construct and operate the proposed electrical facilities at its standard voltage design and will observe reasonable safety precautions to prevent jeopardizing the public safety. Construction methods and activities in the field will also meet U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Organization requirements. Entergy also maintains and follows its own safety policies and procedures in the Entergy Transmission and Distribution Safety Manual, most recently updated in 2012, and Regulatory and permitting. The Arkansas Public Service Commission requires the company to file an application for approval of a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to construct the proposed transmission line. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as other federal and state agencies require the company to file for approval of various permits for the new transmission line.
Project Schedule
3RD 4TH Qtr 2013
File CECPN APSC Public Hearing Receive CECPN Approval
Construction dates are tentative at this time and could be subject to change.
Next Steps
Customer contact and site access. Through a contract with external consultants, residents will be contacted for assistance in developing plans to temporarily access new and existing right-of-way prior to construction. These plans may include ground surveys, soil testing and test borings. Construction phase. The proposed electrical facilities will be designed by Entergy Services, Inc. personnel for Entergy Arkansas. Construction will be performed by pre-qualified electrical contractor crews under the supervision of Entergy Arkansas personnel in a sequential operation of surveying, clearing, structure erection, conductor installation and clean-up. The first operation is to survey the proposed route to establish the centerline, edge of right-of-way, and profile of the transmission line. Centerline staking and profiling may require cutting some trees and undergrowth. Right-of-way clearing, if necessary, will also be performed by contracted crews under the supervision of Entergy Arkansas personnel. Trees outside of the right-of-way that endanger the safe and reliable operation of the transmission line (danger trees see page 8) will be cut to provide necessary clearance. Structure installation takes place in three phases: transporting, assembling, and erecting. Material is transported to each location where structures are assembled, as much as is practical, on the ground; the poles are then set in augured holes and backfilled with appropriate fill material (directly-imbedded). Once the structure is assembled, installing conductor is the next critical step. Many vehicles and items of equipment are required to install the conductor. As with vehicles and equipment associated with other construction phases, crews will exercise care to minimize damage to the terrain and landowner premises.
If anyone was unable to attend the open house, and/or would like to voice a comment, please contact Brett Herring of Ridge Point Consultants shown on the previous page.
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