What is the Woodland substation project?

Evergy is preparing to build a new substation near South Woodland Street and West 108 Terrace in Olathe, KS.  We will also build a short section of transmission line to connect the substation to the power grid.

Why is this project needed?

The improvements will enhance electric reliability and strengthen the regional power grid, allowing us to serve area homes and businesses well into the future.

Who will benefit from the project?

This project will benefit residents and businesses in Olathe, eastern Kansas and beyond by strengthening the regional power grid and improving reliability. It also will provide tax revenue, construction jobs, local expenditures and will expand capabilities for future investment in area industry.

Who is responsible for this project?

Evergy will construct and own the new substation and 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 lines.

When will the project be completed?

In the coming weeks, the project will be presented to the city for a special use permit. If the permit is granted, we expect construction to begin in June 2023. The project is scheduled to be completed and in service by June 2024. Restoration is scheduled to be completed in September 2024. All construction work for the Woodland substation project is planned to take place on Evergy property. 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. An Evergy project representative will communicate with property owners individually to discuss expected timeline and damage, if any, caused by construction.

What will the substation look like?

The substation will be surrounded by a chain-link fence and feature security lighting that can be turned on and off as needed. The two transmission poles within the substation will be steel and approximately 85 feet tall. The substation will be located so there will be minimal visibility from Woodland Street. In addition, landscaping will be included along the south edge of the substation to minimize visibility from the adjacent property owners.

What will the substation sound like?

The humming sound many people associate with a substation comes from the transformer. Today’s transformers are significantly quieter than older models. As with any sound, it dissipates with distance from the source and will be buffered by surrounding vegetation and landscaping located between the substation and nearby properties.

How will the substation be accessed?

The substation will be accessed using the existing access road.

Who will maintain the substation?

Evergy will maintain the new substation, including landscaping inside and directly outside the chain-link fence. We will perform preventative maintenance at the substation once a month during normal business hours and will access the substation for equipment upgrades or unplanned maintenance as needed.

How will I know if there are authorized personnel at the substation?

Evergy employees, and its contractors, utilize personal protection equipment, including hard hats, safety vests and safety glasses, when working in and around substations. All Evergy employees carry company identification. Most employees performing maintenance will be in marked Evergy vehicles. If you notice suspicious activity at the substation, please contact your local law enforcement immediately.

What will the transmission line look like?

A short section of transmission line will be built from the substation to connect to the existing transmission lines in the area. The poles will be steel and range from 50-90 feet tall. The existing transmission poles in area range from 110-145 feet tall. One new 140 feet tall pole will replace an existing 145 feet tall pole where the new transmission line and existing transmission line connect. Two new steel poles will be installed near existing adjacent transmission lines to allow the new transmission lines to cross underneath the existing adjacent transmission lines. These two steel poles will be approximately 120 and 145 feet tall.

Why can’t the existing Craig substation be expanded?

There is not enough room near the existing Craig substation to expand. Craig substation is already providing electricity to as many customers as it can, so the new substation is needed to serve additional residents and businesses in the area.

What will be the impact on vegetation in the area?

The existing trees and vegetation surrounding the substation will remain. Additional trees and landscaping will also be planted around the site. Some trees and vegetation will be trimmed or removed for the safe construction and operations of the new section of transmission line. All vegetation trimming and removal will take place on Evergy property. Potential routes for the transmission line were developed with the intent to minimize adverse impacts to residents, their land and the natural environment, while providing a technically viable and cost-effective route. We consider the impact on trees and vegetation when routing and designing our infrastructure, but regardless of which route was chosen, some trees and vegetation in the area would be trimmed or removed.

Who will build the substation 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.

How much will the project cost?

Since the project isn’t complete, final costs haven’t been determined, but the initial estimated investment for the substation and transmission line is approximately $13 million. Because the project will entirely benefit Evergy customers, costs will be reflected in customer rates.

What environmental impacts were considered with the siting of the project?

Evergy believes the environment is an important factor when planning and designing projects. We work closely with appropriate organizations, including the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Historical Society and 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 project 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.

Should I be concerned about electromagnetic fields (EMF)?

The potential for health effects caused by power lines has been studied for many years and no correlation has been found to transmission lines. Evergy does not consider electromagnetic fields to be a health threat based on published information. However, Evergy has adopted a prudent avoidance approach when locating all our electrical facilities. This means we locate transmission lines in a manner that minimizes exposure to electromagnetic fields. We encourage you to review the credible published research information from sources like the National Institute of Health and make your own determination.

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. (NYSE: EVRG) 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.