News

Duke Energy transmission line timeline (2)

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 20, 2015

May 19: Duke Energy announces plans to replace the 376-megawatt Asheville coal power plant and with a new $750 million 650-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant. Duke says it will also spend about $320 million to build a transmission substation near Campobello, S.C., and connect it to the Asheville power plant with a new 45-mile 230-kilovolt transmission line. Although the projects are announced at the same time, Duke says later that the transmission line was in the works long before this year’s
decision to convert the coal plant at Lake Julian.

Early July: Duke notifies landowners on or near 41 proposed segments for the transmission line. While the right of way is 150 feet, Duke notified landowners within 1,000 feet.

July 14: Duke holds first public input session at WNC Ag Center.

July 21: Duke holds public input session at Landrum Middle School.

July 23: Duke holds public input session at Blue Ridge Community College.

July: Homeowners associations form coalition to oppose transmission line.

Aug. 3: Residents appear before the Henderson County Board of Commissioners to speak against the power line.

Aug. 7: Farmers and farm organizations meet to ask questions and form plans to respond to transmission line.

Aug. 10: N.C. Utilities Commission opens a docket on the transmission line proposal and begins accepting comments.

Aug. 10: The Polk County Board of Commissioners and Saluda Town Commission adopt resolutions opposing the power line.
Aug. 13: Numerous HOAs and residents gather at Trinity Presbyterian Church to hear about plans to oppose a western route of the line crossing Big Willow, Horse Shoe Etowah and Mills River.

Aug. 14: Duke announces it is moving up the decision to choose a route from early 2016 to October of this year.

Aug. 14: Mills River Town Council adopts a resolution opposing the power line.