SPP’s 2024 Integrated Transmission Planning cycle identified a critical reliability need to strengthen the regional electric grid to withstand future extreme winter weather events. To address this, SPP directed Sunflower and partner utilities to construct approximately 360 miles of a new 345-kV transmission line, including Sunflower's portion, which is roughly 180 miles from Holcomb, Kansas, to the Kansas–Colorado border. This investment is intended to significantly enhance system transfer capability and reliable service during severe weather.

The project will strengthen the regional transmission grid, improve reliability, and reduce the risk of outages during extreme weather events. It will also provide greater operational flexibility for utilities. Overall, the new electric infrastructure will help maintain stable, dependable electric service for communities across the region.

In general, the land can continue to be used as before, provided that use does not interfere with the construction, operation, or maintenance of the transmission line. Sunflower encourages landowners along the final approved route to contact the designated land agent to discuss these activities.

Sunflower is committed to providing safe, reliable, and dependable service to our members and communities. To deliver on that commitment, our vegetation management team must maintain proper clearances around the lines as required by federal and state agencies. Trees and other vegetation can damage the line and hinder our ability to deliver electric services safely and reliably. They can make the job of storm restoration more difficult, extend restoration times, and pose additional hazards to our line crews. For safety and reliability reasons, incompatible vegetation such as trees and tree limbs will be removed from the right-of-way throughout the project area before construction.

A right-of-way easement is a legal agreement allowing someone to use a portion of someone else’s property, typically for roadways, utility lines, or pipelines. It does not grant ownership of the land but will allow the right to access the right-of-way for installation and maintenance of the infrastructure. Sunflower will be seeking easement rights from affected landowners for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the transmission line. 

Sunflower will be requesting a right-of-way easement that is a minimum of 150 feet wide. Access roads to the right-of-way for construction and maintenance at various points along the line often require additional easement agreements, which may be permanent or temporary. Should these be required, landowners will be compensated for any additional use of their property.

Sunflower will coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies, including, but not necessarily limited to, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, State Historic Preservation Office, and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Yes, you can continue to cut the grass and farm underneath the line. There will be some restrictions and recommendations regarding proximity to the structure, clearances under the line, and we advise not parking your equipment beneath the line. The line will be designed for a 25-foot minimum clearance to grade. Equipment less than 14 feet can be used without concern, and we recommend Sunflower review any equipment higher than 14 feet in height on a case-by-case basis.

Construction may begin as early as Spring 2028 and is projected to be in service by 2031.

In general, non-agricultural areas inside the right-of-way impacted by transmission line construction will be graded and seeded with a grass seed mix. Temporary access roads will be loosened, graded, and seeded with a grass seed mix. Restoration work after construction will occur in phases along the ROW, with the seasonal appropriateness.