The South Delphi project involves building an approximately 3-mile transmission line from a point near the intersection of W 300 N and State Route 25 in the north to a point east of the intersection of US 421 and State Route 25 in the south.

• Wabash Valley Power Alliance – Project owner

• Carroll White REMC – Your local electric cooperative and a member of WVPA

• Emerald Energy – Easement acquisition agent

Construction primarily takes place during daylight hours, but some work may be completed after dusk. Additionally, our contractors may travel to and from the job site before dawn or after dusk. Affected landowners who have signed an easement will be contacted in person, by phone, and/or in writing at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of construction on their property.

The project is necessary to promote grid reliability, relieve congestion to the energy grid, and meet local energy needs. The new line will create redundancy in the grid, meaning if a transmission line loses power, energy will be rerouted along a different path and restored to the end user.

Although several different structure types may be used, depending on the presence of existing infrastructure and site-specific conditions, the most common conceptual design employs galvanized steel single-pole structures directly embedded into the ground or bolted onto concrete foundations and supporting a single-circuit 69kV line. Above the circuit will be one optical ground wire (OPGW). The wire will shield the conductors from lightning and provide a path for internal as well as third party communications. Structure heights are anticipated to range between 60 and 90 feet above ground and pole-to-pole spans are anticipated to be 200-300 feet in length, dependent upon terrain and the presence of electric distribution line(s) that may be underneath the transmission line.

This project is expected to generate economic activity and annual tax revenues to support schools, roads, police, and emergency and social services in Carroll County where the lines will be located. The added capacity and reliability to the electric grid support the growth and operations of existing users to the system, potentially bringing new tax dollars and jobs.

The project is necessary to promote grid reliability, relieve congestion to the energy grid, and meet local energy needs. The new line will create redundancy in the grid, meaning if a transmission line loses power, energy will be rerouted along a different path and restored to the end user.

This project, and Carroll White REMC’s involvement with it, is intended to avoid a rate increase for cooperative members. This is because it is being designed to be a part of the MISO grid, a network of transmission connections extending from Alberta, Canada to Louisiana through the mid-section of the USA. When approved, the costs of this project will be incorporated in its overall transmission rate all utilities in its network pays. This results in an impact to rates that is measured in fractions of a penny.

Engineering and permitting, along with obtaining right-of-way easements for the South Delphi project will begin in 2021. Construction is slated to begin in 2022 and this project is scheduled to be in-service by the spring of 2023.

The project will pose no impact to endangered or critical species during the life of the project.

Landowners will be asked to grant an easement to WVPA for the right to use a defined strip of land for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the electric transmission line. Emerald Energy agents, on behalf of WVPA, will be working with landowners on the easement acquisition process and will meet with landowners to discuss easement rights, compensation, survey work, damage settlements, structures, and land restoration.

Depending on the location, WVPA will need 50 feet of space on each side of center line to place poles and run lines. When designing projects we work to minimize the impact and inconvenience to land owners. We understand there needs to be a balance between improving the system and inconveniencing resident’s lives and enjoyment of their property. We attempt to be as efficient as reasonably possible when engineering these projects.

Most vegetation, including trees and scrub brush, has to be removed in the easement. Trees and vegetation are the number one cause of outages, which are inconvenient and expensive when damage to power lines and equipment is sustained during a storm. Limiting the potential for vegetation to come into contact with lines is a part of the engineering process along with the operation and maintenance of the transmission line. When possible, we work with the natural landscape and trees on site are considered when designing these projects. We take every measure to preserve trees and existing landscapes. Most of the time, we can avoid removing landscaping and flowers.

Rather than wood poles to hold the lines that just bring power to your homes, we will be installing steel poles that can hold these high voltage lines as well. These taller, higher voltage transmission lines carry power between substations and improve reliability and function of the overall electrical network.

Through an exhaustive analysis this route was chosen because it was the best possible location to get the most cost efficient utilization of resources and benefit the most members. This route will affect the least land owners and allow for more members to receive the added reliability and voltage this project will bring to the system.