Background

Current and projected electric load in northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina (the region between Florence, S.C., and Whiteville, N.C.) continues to grow. To help ensure a continued reliable supply of electric service to homes and businesses throughout the region, Progress Energy plans to invest about $45 million to enhance current electric substations and build two new 230-kiloVolt electric transmission lines between Florence and Whiteville (one from Florence to Marion, and another from Marion to Whiteville).

The 230,000-volt lines are expected to be attached to either single transmission poles or H-frame structures, or a combination of the two, standing approximately 90-100 feet tall and spaced approximately every 500-700 feet. The project schedule calls for the Marion to Whiteville transmission line to be operational by June 2007. The Florence to Marion transmission line has been delayed and is anticipated to be placed in service by 2014. The estimated total length of the new line construction is approximately 50 miles. Route approval, easement acquisition, additional engineering and design and other milestones will occur before construction gets under way.

The southern/western portion of the project, between Florence and Marion, will include building approximately 30 miles of new 230-kV transmission line from the existing Progress Energy 230-kV substation in the northern area of Florence (Douglas Street) to the 230/115-kV substation northeast of Marion. That portion will cost approximately $29 million. On the northern/eastern portion (Marion to Whiteville), two sections of conversion to 230-kV have already been completed. A 14.8-mile section from the Marion substation to the Nichols substation was built in the mid-1980s. And a 7.3-mile section of the line between the Whiteville substation and a point of delivery for the Brunswick Electric Membership Corp. (near Chadbourn, N.C.) was completed in early 2002. The portion of this project between Marion and Whiteville will involve connecting these two existing line segments with a new 230-kV line of approximately 20 miles. The northern portion of the project will cost an estimated $16 million. The actual cost depends on ultimate line length, structure type and other factors yet to be determined. The lines will be constructed on either new rights of way (100 feet total width) or by expanding an existing right of way to 155 feet in some areas (to co-locate a second line).

Project need

• The electric system must keep pace with growth throughout this region. In addition to building new power plants, Progress Energy must enhance the transmission and distribution systems to help ensure a continuous, reliable flow of electricity to homes and businesses in the region. This project is one of several major transmission system upgrades planned over the next several years to benefit Progress Energy’s customers in the Carolinas. The company plans to invest about $350 million by 2012 on transmission system projects.
• Without the transmission system upgrades, this growth area could exceed electric system capability in the near future, potentially creating the types of electric system reliability concerns that have plagued other parts of the country in recent years.
• Electricity is far too important for our customers to risk service interruptions or problems with power quality due to inadequate facilities. Progress Energy, the N.C. Utilities Commission and the S.C. Public Service Commission have an obligation to ensure that the electric system is maintained and upgraded appropriately.
• The upgrades will enhance system reliability for electricity consumers throughout the region, including consumers who receive electric service from providers other than Progress Energy.
• The transmission upgrades will generate additional annual property tax revenues for the counties and municipalities where the facilities will be located.
• Maintaining a robust system for supplying and delivering electricity is integral in ensuring the continued economic prosperity of the region.

Schedule

Based in large part on input received at five public information meetings in February 2003, Progress Energy announced selected routes for the project in May 2003. Acquisition of the transmission line right of way begins in February 2004 and is scheduled to continue into early 2005. Clearing for the Marion to Whiteville line will begin in January 2005. Construction will begin in mid-2005. The line should be operational by June 2007. A schedule has not been established for the Florence to Marion line.

Maps

• Southwestern selected route map (Florence to Marion)
    235 Kb
• Northeastern selected route map (Marion to Whiteville)
    78 Kb

Permit requirements

The project requires a number of local, state and federal permits and approvals, including environmental and construction permits. Progress Energy will work with local governments and agencies to ensure that the project complements local growth plans. And Progress Energy will comply with all regulatory requirements related to the construction and operation of the facilities. Before the development of any preliminary routes, Progress Energy will contact the Corps of Engineers, the Fish & Wildlife Service, state historic preservation offices, the N.C. Department of Environmental Protection, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and other agencies that have an interest in the project.

Public participation

Progress Energy believes public participation is critical to the success of the project. Among other communication initiatives, the company held five public information meetings in the area during February 2003. The purpose of these meetings was to provide information on the need, scope and schedule of the project and gather pertinent data from property owners and others on the proposed route. The S.C. Public Service Commission and the N.C. Utilities Commission also may hold public hearings as part of their review processes. Progress Energy also will make information available via the Web and will communicate directly with impacted property owners and others.

Land acquisition

Progress Energy land agents will work individually with property owners in purchasing easements for the facilities. The line will require 50 feet, or slightly more, of right of way on both sides (100-foot total easement requirement). In some areas, if the line is located parallel to an existing line, it will require up to 155 feet of total easement (including the existing easement). Progress Energy negotiates individually with property owners for easements, and landowners retain ownership of the property.

Overhead versus underground

Progress Energy investigated the possibility of putting the line underground. The reliability of underground transmission lines is a major question across the United States, as relatively few have been constructed. A fault in a buried line, caused by a manufacturing defect or an accidental dig-in, would take much longer to locate and repair than a similar fault in an overhead line. Other adverse factors regarding underground transmission lines are the effects they can have on wetlands and soil erosion and the decreased electrical capacity they can carry.