BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Tennessee Valley Authority is asking for public input on transmission system upgrades to prepare for growth and increase power reliability in the Bristol, Tennessee, area. TVA proposes to invest up to $30 million to build power lines from the existing Sullivan 500-kilovolt and Bluff City 161-kilovolt substations extending northeast to Bristol Tennessee Essential Services’ proposed South Bristol substation between Weaver Pike and State Route 394. TVA would build the new lines on steel, single and double-pole structures on existing and new 100-foot-wide right of way. To minimize impact, TVA will use existing rights of way to the greatest extent practical by paralleling existing TVA and BTES power lines and using the vacant side of an existing TVA line where possible. TVA may obtain additional right of way as necessary in these areas to maintain the 100-foot width for the new power lines or may use the vacant side of an existing line, which would require no new right of way.