What is the project? 
Evergy is preparing to build approximately 125 miles (route dependent) of 345 kV transmission line from the Buffalo Flats substation, located near W 13th Street North and North 279th Street West in Garden Plain, KS, to the Oklahoma border north of Delaware, OK. The project will cross four counties in Kansas: Sedgwick, Sumner, Cowley and Chautauqua. The remaining 30 miles of the line will be built by American Electric Power to Delaware substation in Delaware, OK.

Why is this line needed?
The new infrastructure will enhance electrical reliability for Sedgwick, Sumner, Cowley and Chautauqua counties, surrounding communities and Kansas as a whole, as well as strengthen the regional power grid and prepare for growth. This line will also allow power to be delivered in both directions.  

Who has oversight of the project?
Evergy will receive a Notice to Construct (NTC) from the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) for this transmission line. The SPP coordinates the regional transmission grid and wholesale energy markets for a 14-state region across the central United States, including Kansas and Missouri. They monitor power flow through their footprint and coordinate regional response in emergency situations. The SPP reviewed performance during Winter Storm Elliott and identified changes that could allow SPP and its member utilities to be better prepared for extreme events in the future. This project is a result of that review.

Evergy will file a line siting permit with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) for the project. The KCC regulates and has the responsibility of ensuring electric utilities provide safe, adequate and reliable services at reasonable rates. They determine the necessity of the project and reasonableness of the transmission line route. They have 180 days to consider the permit once submitted, allowing ample time for landowner input.

Who will benefit from this project?
This project will benefit residents and businesses in Sedgwick, Sumner, Cowley and Chautauqua counties, south-central and southeast Kansas and beyond by strengthening the regional power grid and improving reliability. It also will provide tax revenue, construction jobs, local expenditures and expand capabilities for future investment in area industry.

Who is responsible for this project?
Evergy will construct and own our portion of the new transmission line. The SPP will direct Evergy to operate the new transmission line.

• Sedgwick County - Construction work is scheduled to begin in summer 2028 and be completed in fall 2029. 
  
  
• Sumner County - Construction work is scheduled to begin in spring 2028 and be completed in fall 2029. 
  
  
• Cowley County - Construction work is scheduled to begin in spring 2028 and be completed in summer 2029. 
  
  
• Chautauqua County - Construction work is scheduled to begin in fall 2027 and be completed in spring 2029.   

When will my property be restored? 
Property restoration will begin after construction is complete. Duration of restoration is weather dependent, but properties will be restored to near-as-reasonable, pre-construction condition. An Evergy project representative will be available to discuss damage, if any, caused by construction.    

What will the line look like?
Structure types and heights will be determined during the transmission line design period after the final route has been determined, but the structures will likely be round steel monopoles or round steel “H-frame” structures.  

The structure heights will vary based on terrain and clearance from the electrical wires to the ground but are likely to range between 100 to 140 feet tall. The span lengths between structures will vary but will likely be between 700 to 1200 feet. The base of each structure will also vary but will likely be between 4 to 9 feet in diameter, either on a concrete foundation or directly embedded into the ground. Turning structures (poles on street corners or where the line changes direction) will be larger than in-line structures (poles between turning structures).

What process will be used to determine a preferred route for the new line? 
The KCC provides direction and oversight of the routing process for this and similar transmission lines. Evergy has contracted with a consultant to perform an evaluation of the area that will encompass land uses, environmental features (including the existence of protected plants and animals), historic and cultural resources and other criteria considered pertinent to the construction of an overhead electric transmission line. The intent of this evaluation is to minimize adverse impacts to residents, their land and the natural environment while providing a technically viable and cost-effective transmission line route.

What criteria was used to identify and evaluate the potential line routes? 
Preliminary alternatives were developed by defining technically and environmentally feasible segments providing economical routes with minimal adverse social and environmental impacts that:

• Maximize the distance of the line to residences, businesses, public facilities, parks, cemeteries and communication towers. 
• Parallel existing utilities, roads or railroads when practical, accounting for existing rights of way. 
• Avoid wetlands, riparian areas, conservation lands, protected species and their habitats for both transmission line corridor and access for construction and maintenance. 
• Avoid placing the line directly over tanks and oil, gas or water wells. 
• Maintain a reasonable length with as few angles as possible to minimize costs. 
• Avoid Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controlled areas which would restrict structure height or proximity to navigational aids. 

How many routes will be evaluated? 
The consultant evaluates many proposed routes using a mathematical model that scores each route. The preferred route will be chosen from the group of routes with the best scores.  

Will property owners and other stakeholders have input into the preferred route? 
As part of the transparent review and input process, Evergy will seek feedback from state and local officials, landowners, residents and environmental organizations to discuss the project, review proposed routes and answer any questions. Landowners along the proposed routes will have the opportunity to review the routes and provide input to Evergy. We will consider input from all stakeholders in selecting the preferred route. 

How will you communicate with property owners affected by the project? 
Evergy is committed to transparent and timely communications with property owners. We will host open houses in each county to share project details. Property owners along or near the potential transmission line routes will receive a letter of invitation, but the meetings will be open to the community.

How will right-of-way be acquired for this project? 
When the final route is determined, we will contact landowners who have property on the final line route and discuss purchasing the easements necessary to build the line. This will allow property owners to continue most uses of their property. We provide one-time payments based on determination of the market property values in the local area. We will work with landowners throughout the siting, design and construction process to minimize impacts to their properties. It is our goal to reach mutually beneficial negotiated agreements with all landowners.  

What if Evergy can't come to an agreement with landowners? 
Fortunately, that is a rare occurrence. We will make every effort to reach mutually beneficial negotiated agreements. We will exercise the right of eminent domain only as a last resort after exhausting attempts to obtain an easement through individual negotiations with a landowner. 

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 in planning and designing the project? 
The environment is an important factor when planning and designing transmission line projects. Evergy works closely with various organizations, including the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the Kansas Historical Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from the beginning of the project to make sure any direct environmental impact is appropriately identified and addressed. 

Such 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, water and air quality.