Public service commission to hold meeting at Landrum High School on transmission lines

Published 10:00 pm Wednesday, August 19, 2015

The Public Service Commission of South Carolina meeting scheduled for Aug. 21 at Spartanburg’s Piedmont Club has been cancelled and another meeting scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at Landrum High School auditorium located at 18818 Asheville Highway in Campobello.

 Attendees will have the opportunity to voice their opinions to the public service commission regarding Duke Energy’s proposed substation and transmission project, part of the company’s Western Carolinas Modernization Project. The $320 million, 45-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line project calls for the construction of a substation in Campobello, S.C. to link with the Asheville power plant located in Skyland, N.C. in order to meet future energy needs.

 According to Bob Walker, Spartanburg County councilman for District 5, “Normally there is not a public service commission meeting until a permit is applied for and the Office of Regulatory Services does its investigation and makes a recommendation.”

 In most cases, the ORS would investigate the impact of the route after Duke Energy has confirmed it. They would then consult with the PSC and a public hearing would follow.

 “This meeting that we are having is giving the people an opportunity that they normally don’t have,” said Walker. “That’s what everyone has been asking for.”

 Attendees will be given up to three minutes to speak and share their thoughts with the PSC representatives. Walker predicts that all PSC commissioners will attend, aside from one who is recovering from a recent surgery.

 Walker believes that attendees will address the project as a whole due to the route not yet being selected.

 “Years ago, legislators could go directly to the PSC and say ‘we don’t want this’, or ‘we want this,’ but that is no longer the case,” said Walker.

 Attendees will be required to sign in and notify meeting organizers of their intention to speak. There is no requirement to do so prior.

 “Everyone that’s coming doesn’t have to speak,” Walker said. “You’re welcome to come and listen, but we do need it.”

 Walker is encouraging speakers to prepare their remarks in advance, and diligently stay within the three-minute time limit.

 “We will have a large number of people wanting to speak, and do not want anyone left out,” he added.

 “I want to thank Dr. Garner as well as District One Schools for allowing the use the facility, and we ask attendees to respect it,” said Walker.

 Spartanburg County Council Passes Resolution

 Walker, under the advisement of the South Carolina Ethics Commission, recused himself from a resolution passed by the Spartanburg County Council on Monday, Aug. 17 regarding Duke Energy’s transmission route selection.

 The resolution encourages Duke Energy to expedite the route selection process and employ existing right-of-ways.

 Walker, whose district encompasses Landrum and Campobello, owns land affected by a potential transmission route and did not vote in an effort to avoid conveying personal interest.

 The resolution passed unanimously and reads as follows:

 A RESOLUTION

REGARDING THE PROPOSED LOCATION OF DUKE ENERGY’S WESTERN CAROLINA MODERNIZATION PROJECT IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY

 WHEREAS, Duke Energy has determined the need to invest in new and existing transmission lines and substations to meet growing demand in the region; and

 WHEREAS, a project known as the proposed Western Carolinas Modernization Project includes building a new transmission substation located in Spartanburg County near Campobello, South Carolina, and connecting it to the Asheville power plant with a new approximately forty-five (45) mile, 230-kilovolt(kV) transmission line; and

 WHEREAS, this proposed transmission line will potentially be constructed through Buncombe, Henderson and Polk counties in North Carolina, and Greenville and Spartanburg counties in South Carolina; and

 WHEREAS, County Council recognizes that there is a balance between providing safe, reliable, affordable electricity and the responsibility of utilities to choose infrastructure locations that minimize the impact of such infrastructure on surrounding properties; and

 WHEREAS, it is the County’s understanding that Duke Energy’s goal is to minimize the impact of their infrastructure on environmental and cultural resources, as well as homes and businesses; and

 WHEREAS, locating 230-kV transmission lines impacts the view shed, natural resources, cultural resources, tourism, future development and other aspects of the community and individual properties that Spartanburg County views as important assets to the community, County and region; and

 WHEREAS, County Council has requested that Duke Energy carefully inventory and consider the potential impact of this project on all dedicated conservation easements and other easements, family cemetery locations, and environmental or land preservation concerns; and

 WHEREAS, in light of the uncertainty and concern that has been created in the community as a result of the due diligence period, County Council urges Duke Energy to move expeditiously through the route selection process.

 NOW, THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED that the Spartanburg County Council strongly encourages Duke Energy to make every effort to determine the route that affects the fewest people, utilizes existing rights-of-way wherever possible to include choosing rights-of-way that are not located in Spartanburg County, and that protects the County’s rich environmental and cultural resources.

 ADOPTED this 17th day of August, 2015.