What is the project?
Evergy is preparing to rebuild the existing 0.9-mile transmission line along 11th Street between the substation at 17th Street and Emporia to the substation at 11th Street and Jefferson.

Why is the project needed?
The project replaces a transmission line that is more than 70 years old and is nearing the end of its service life. Upgrading the infrastructure is needed to ensure our equipment meets modern construction standards for reliability and safety. The upgrades will enhance electric reliability, support growth in Wichita and strengthen the regional power grid.

What is the difference between distribution and transmission lines?
Transmission lines are like interstates or highways, carrying electricity long distances from substation to substation. Distribution lines are like city streets, carrying electricity to neighborhoods. Service lines carry electricity to individual homes and businesses.

Why won’t the lines be underground?
Cost and feasibility prevent undergrounding for these projects. In many places, room isn’t available to rebuild the transmission line underground because other utilities (natural gas and water lines, for example) are already underground in this area. Transmission lines carry more electricity than distribution lines, which results in larger and more complex construction and higher costs when buried.

While in some areas, distribution lines or service lines are buried, it’s uncommon to bury transmission lines. Out of Evergy’s approximately 10,200 miles of transmission lines across our entire service area in Kansas and Missouri, less than 20 miles – or less than 1 percent – are underground.

The cost of constructing underground transmission lines generally is about eight times more than overhead. While specific costs haven’t yet been calculated, early estimates place the 17th Street-Riverside project at about $6 million. That puts the general estimate for underground lines at nearly $50 million. Costs could go higher given the constraints of the neighborhood. As we work to maintain affordable electricity rates, we must take this into consideration as those costs are included in the rates all customers pay for their service.

Even if a short section of transmission line could be buried, overhead-to-underground transition structures, or risers, shown in picture two below, would be required on both ends of the undergrounded section to house the line’s conductor. These structures must be self-supporting, so they would be large steel poles on concrete foundations. Our goal is to use wood poles where possible for these projects.

What will poles look like?
The photos below are examples of transmission structures recently installed in Wichita. Our goal is to use wood poles, shown in picture one below, where possible, for these projects.

When will the line be built?
Construction is scheduled to take place in 2025.

In the coming months, Evergy will have a crew working along the existing transmission line accessing easements and road rights-of-way to gather information crucial to finalizing the design of the line.

Will my property be restored?
Property restoration will take place after construction is complete. Duration of restoration is weather dependent and varies by project, but properties will be restored to, near as reasonable, pre-construction condition.

What will the line look like?
In-line poles will be wood. Poles where the line changes direction will be steel. Steel poles eliminate the need for guy wires for support. They also provide additional reliability and resiliency with the harsh weather conditions our communities can face.

At this stage of the project, the design has not been finalized, but our preliminary plan has the poles about 150-350 feet apart and about 90-110 feet tall. At our initial open house, attendees can review tentative plans and provide feedback, which will be considered as final designs are developed. A near-final design will be shown at a second open house prior to construction.

Steel poles can be galvanized or weathered based on the community’s preference.

How will vegetation be impacted?
Vegetation removal will be required for the safe construction and operation of the transmission line. Evergy’s routine tree trimming around the distribution line will not change and is separate from the vegetation clearing needed for the transmission line rebuild.

How will you communicate with property owners affected by the project?
As plans for the project are developed, we will share details with residents in the area. At our initial open house, attendees can review tentative plans and provide feedback, which will be considered as final designs are developed. A near-final design will be shown at a second open house prior to construction. People who live or own property along the transmission line route will receive letters of invitation from Evergy, but the meetings will be open to the community. Project details and a feedback form are available online by visiting this webpage (evergy.com/riverside).  

Why does Evergy use steel poles?
Steel poles are more reliable and resilient than wood poles in the harsh weather conditions our communities can face. Steel poles can also make for an overall smaller footprint than lattice structure or poles that require guywires for support.

Who will benefit from the project?
This project will benefit residents and businesses in Wichita, south-central Kansas and beyond by strengthening the regional power grid and enhancing reliability. It will support electrical load growth in the area, provide tax revenue, construction jobs, local expenditures and will expand capabilities for future investment in area business and industry.

Who is responsible for this project?
Evergy will construct and own the new transmission line. The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) operates the transmission system in the region for this transmission line. SPP will direct Evergy to operate the new transmission line.

Who will build the lines and manage the construction?
Evergy will design and construct the transmission line using both Evergy resources and subcontractors depending on the task. Evergy will provide project management services and coordination during construction of the project.

What environmental impacts will be considered with the siting of the project?
Evergy believes the environment is an important factor when planning and designing transmission line projects. We work closely with appropriate organizations, including the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Historical Society, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy from the beginning of projects to make sure any direct environmental impact is appropriately identified and addressed. We believe this kind of collaboration leads to developing a transmission line route that aligns with federal and state energy and environmental policy objectives. We adhere to all state and federal regulations to protect native plants, threatened or endangered species, wetlands and water and air quality.

 

Participants

Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC)
The KCC regulates and has the responsibility of ensuring electric utilities provide safe, adequate and reliable services at reasonable rates. The mission of the KCC is to protect the public interest through impartial and efficient resolution of all jurisdictional issues.

Southwest Power Pool (SPP)
The SPP is a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission(FERC) to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure and competitive wholesale prices of electricity. SPP operates subject to a tariff filed with and governed by FERC. This tariff contains over 2,100 pages of rates, terms and conditions for providing transmission service to SPP’s customers to move wholesale electric power within and across SPP’s 17-state footprint.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
FERC regulates the transmission and wholesale sales of electricity in interstate commerce and ensures the reliability of high-voltage interstate transmission systems.

Evergy, Inc. (Evergy)
Evergy, Inc. serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. We generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.