By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—At a short and sweet session Tuesday morning, the Paris Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved purchase of two tracts of land along Hwy. 140 E to be used for the construction of the Eagle Creek substation.
The tracts are between Hwy. 79N and Buchanan and are adjacent to the TVA 500 KV transmission line. Together, the two tracts make up some 28 acres and total $52,860. BPU staff reached a negotiated purchase price with both property owners.
BPU General Manager Terry Wimberley said the Eagle Creek substation will provide BPU with a second delivery point of power from TVA.
“We’ve had a 10-year conversation with TVA and there is a commitment on TVA’s part that they will have a capital investment at their end,” Wimberley said, “and the time has come for us to get even more serious with our plans. As a sign of our commitment, they are going to want to see that we have acquired the property.”
Director of Electric Operations Cole Edwards said TVA has requested the purchase by January 1 so its staff can perform a site visit in January. He said work will begin in February, with the projected live date of August 2021.
In other business, the board appointed Tracy Tharpe to the BPU Round Up Board to replace Harry Cowan, who has relocated to Florida. Tharpe is the Lab Manager at Nobel Automotive and is active in community activities.
Cowan served on that board for 13 years.
Photo: BPU General Manager Terry Wimberley, left, presents reports to the board members. (McFarlin photo).
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