Duke Energy Progress to invest $20 million to enhance reliability in Raeford, N.C.

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Dec. 7, 2015

  • Utility to construct a new transmission line to connect Raeford substation to existing transmission line

  • Community open house on the project to be held Dec. 8 in Raeford

RAEFORD, N.C. - As part of its ongoing commitment to providing reliable service to a growing region, Duke Energy Progress has announced plans to construct a new transmission line to serve the Raeford area.

“We must invest in the electric system to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of this growing region,” said Phil Williams, project manager for the new transmission line. “This new transmission line will provide greater capacity and enhanced service reliability for Raeford and across Eastern North Carolina.” 

The utility is investing $20 million for the construction of a 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to connect its existing Raeford substation, located off Old Wire Road, to its existing transmission line between the Woodruff Street substation and the Richmond substation. The line will be about 3.5 miles long. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2017 and is targeted for completion in mid-2018.

Duke Energy Progress is currently evaluating a number of potential routes for construction of the transmission line, and is seeking input from the public. Property owners along the various alternate routes have been notified by letter and provided opportunities for input in this process.

The public is also invited to attend a community open house to learn more about the project and provide input on the route selection.

Raeford Transmission Line Project Community Open House
Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015 | 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Hoke County Old Armory Building (Senior Room)
423 East Central Avenue
Raeford, N.C. 28376

During the open house, Duke Energy representatives will provide information on the project, aerial maps of the proposed route options, and an estimated timeline for the project. Once the public input and review process is complete, a final route will be announced in April 2016.

“Our goal is to minimize impacts to homes and businesses, the environment and cultural resources as we work to determine the final route,” said Williams. “We also want to address the questions and concerns of potentially affected property owners and are committed to communicating with the public throughout the process.”

Additional information on the project is available beginning Dec. 8 at duke-energy.com/about-us/electric-transmission-projects/raeford.asp. Members of the public may also email questions and comments to CETransmissionEnhancements@duke-energy.com or call 800.365.8979.

About Duke Energy Progress

Duke Energy Progress owns nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides about 12,000 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.5 million customers in a 32,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com

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Contact: Jennifer Jabon
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