Transmission lines vs distribution lines
Transmission lines are the high-voltage lines on tall towers or poles, typically 69 kV and up. They move bulk power between substations. Homes and farms are not connected to them directly.
Distribution lines are the lower-voltage lines on wooden poles along roads. They carry power from a substation to homes, barns and wells. These are the lines that matter for a new hookup, and most public datasets don't map them.
What a nearby line does and doesn't mean
A transmission line 1 km away tells you the area has grid infrastructure. It doesn't mean you can connect to it. A substation nearby suggests distribution lines likely run in the area, but the closest pole could still be far from where you want to build.
Utilities set their own line-extension rules. Some include a set distance in the standard fee and charge per foot beyond it. Others ask the customer to pay for poles, transformers and easements. The cost depends heavily on the utility and the terrain, so get a written estimate.
Other things to look for
- Poles along the road frontage, and whether they carry one wire or three (single-phase vs three-phase)
- Easements: the line may need to cross a neighbour's land
- Whether the land is in an electric co-op's territory or an investor-owned utility's
- Off-grid options, such as solar plus batteries, if the line extension is expensive
Questions to follow up
- Ask the seller or neighbours which utility serves the road.
- Call that utility's new-service department with the parcel address or coordinates. Ask for a line-extension estimate in writing.
- Walk the frontage and note pole numbers. The utility can identify them.
What a Groundtruth land screen checks
- Distance to the nearest mapped high-voltage transmission line, and its voltage
- Distance to the nearest substation (searched within 10 km)
- Fiber broadband reported in the area (FCC Broadband Data Collection)
- Nearest public water and sewer service areas, and how common private wells are nearby
- Nearest mapped road and major road, with names and surface where mapped
What it can't tell you
- Where the nearest distribution pole is, or whether it has spare capacity
- Which utility serves the parcel, or its line-extension policy and cost
- Whether an easement exists or is needed
This guide is general information, not legal, engineering or insurance advice. Rules vary by state and county.