Northwest LouisianaTransmission Improvements

Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) plans to strengthen northwest Louisiana's power grid by replacing, upgrading or constructing more than 100 miles of transmission line in Bossier, Caddo, De Soto and Webster parishes.

The Northwest Louisiana Transmission Improvements Plan encompasses a number of individual transmission line projects.

Select from the links below to learn more about each project. Additional project-specific sites will be added as plans and schedules are finalized.

Blanchard - North Market

Kingston - Gravel Point

South Shreveport - Wallace Lake

Why do the transmission lines need to be rebuilt? The power lines included in this transmission improvements initiative are all more than 60 years old and have reached the end of their planned service lives. Many of the transmission lines consist of the original wooden poles and have experienced heavy wear from the environment.

The severe weather, storms and high winds that can frequent northwest Lousiana means the power grid is more vulnerable and can lead to extended community-wide outages.

Residential, commercial and industrial growth also requires upgraded transmission lines to ensure continued reliable service for existing and future customers.

Will service reliability improve once the lines are rebuilt?While it is not possible to avoid all power outages, these system improvements strengthen the grid, and reduce the number and duration of community-side outages.

These projects also address overgrown vegetation in the company's right-of-way or in public utility areas where the transmission lines are located to help reduce individual customer outages which are often due to tree-related damages.

Why are the lines being rebuilt overhead instead of underground?The price of building an underground line is significantly higher than building an overhead line, though the expense is only one consideration. Other factors include water tables, swampland, flood-prone areas, other underground utilities and pipelines, amongst many others.

Failures on overhead lines are also easier to identify, and maintenance is less intrusive to property owners.

What about my trees?SWEPCO respects the environment and communities and works to strike a balance in maintaining a reliable electric grid to serve communities while also considering environmental impacts of power line construction, operation and maintenance.

It's necessary to maintain safe distances between power lines and nearby vegetation. As part of SWEPCO's ongoing work to maintain woody-stemmed vegetation and other incompatible vegetation within company rights-of-way, crews follow North American Electric Reliability Corporation 's (NERC) standards for safe operation. Crews trim or remove vegetation during power line construction and routine maintenance.

What is the timeline for these improvements?These improvements are planned to be completed within the next 5 years.

SWEPCO project teams developing the projects and plan to communicate plans to the affected community members when details and schedules are determined.

SWEPCO representatives are planning open houses for many of the projects and will share that information once dates are determined.

What can I expect as a landowner or resident?Landowners and residents can expect to receive additional information as each project progresses. You may also be contacted by a right-of-way agent to discuss your property and invited to an open house to learn more about how the project might impact you.

Following project announcements and any planned open houses, SWEPCO right-of-way representatives may contact affected landowners and residents to discuss property access, necessary easements and upcoming field activities.

Will this have an impact on my electric bill?No. The cost for the projects is spread equally amongst all SWEPCO customers and is paid using allocations for improvements already included in your bill.

Where can I learn more?Visit SWEPCO.com/NWLousiana. Information about each of the planned projects will be available through this website as plans and schedules are finalized.