MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — Georgia Transmission Corporation has notified Monroe County officials it plans to install a 7.8-mile, 500-kilovolt electric transmission line that will require easements across 14 private properties, with landowners having little choice but to comply under state eminent domain law.

The "Big Smarr -- Rum Creek 500 kV Transmission Line" will connect Oglethorpe Power's future $2 billion natural gas plant to the existing power grid at Plant Scherer, addressing increased electric capacity demands in the Smarr-Rum Creek areas, according to the county’s social media post .

Monroe County Commissioner Eddie Rowland said Georgia Transmission Corporation has state authority to proceed with the project regardless of local opposition.

"Yeah, Georgia Transmission Company has

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