The Tennessee Valley Authority on Thursday announced plans to retire coal plants that generate more than 3,000 megawatts of electricity.

The move seems to prove there is a market for Clean Line Energy Partners, which plans to build a $2 billion direct-current transmission line stretching across Oklahoma and Arkansas.

The Plains and Eastern Clean Line would connect with the TVA system at Memphis, Tenn., carrying enough electricity to power 1 million homes a year.

TVA provides power for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. The government-owned utility is looking to diversify its power generating mix, as evidenced by its move away from coal.