WVPA Elderberry to Stillwell Transmission Line Project

Public input, combined with technical data, will help refine route alternatives before a final route is selected.

A 150-foot right-of-way is needed for this project, with 75 feet on either side of the center line.

The transmission line will use H-frame poles to minimize land and visual impact.

The first Elderberry to Stillwell open house held in January 2026 introduced the proposed transmission line project and shared initial route concepts connecting the Elderberry and Stillwell substations. This meeting was designed to provide foundational information for the project, explain why the line is needed, and invite early feedback from landowners and community members within the study area. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions and share local knowledge to help project planners better understand community priorities and potential concerns.

The second open house held in April 2026 was built directly on that initial engagement. Based on comments, questions, and preferences expressed by the public, a preferred route and alternative route corridors were presented. This second open house demonstrated how community input, combined with technical and environmental considerations, was used to refine route options and minimize potential impacts.

Together, the two open houses highlight a planning process evolving through public participation toward more informed and community-responsive route alternatives.

The Elderberry-to-Stillwell project is called “network transmission” because it will deliver power across the region via “the grid.” Because this benefits consumers broadly, the asset owner, Wabash Valley Power Alliance in this case, receives revenue from other utilities that use electricity from this new transmission line. The returns go back to Wabash Valley Power Alliance member-owners.

This project is expected to generate economic activity and annual tax revenues to support schools, roads, police and emergency and social services in La Porte County and St. Joseph County where the line will be located. The added capacity to the electrical grid enables new residents and users to connect to the electric system, bringing new tax dollars and jobs.

Corona noise is generated when a transmission line is operating. The noise is created through the discharge of electrical energy, called ‘corona,’ which is audible in the direct vicinity of transmission line conductors during foggy, damp, or humid conditions. This noise is generally described as a low ‘humming’ or ‘crackling’ sound. During dry conditions, the noise may be nearly nonexistent, and during heavy rain conditions, the sound of rain often overpowers this noise.

EMF stands for electric and magnetic fields. For transmission lines, these two should be considered separately- electric fields are measured in kilovolt per meter (kV/m), and magnetic fields are measured in milliGauss (mG). Electric fields depend on the voltage of a transmission line, while magnetic fields depend on the current flowing through the line. The strength of the electric field is proportional with the voltage and decreases rapidly with distance from the conductor. Similarly, magnetic field intensity is directly related to current flow and diminishes quickly as distance from the transmission line’s centerline increases. Learn more about EMFs at EMF Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated with the Use of Electric Power (nih.gov)