• Introduction
• Definition
• Fee-Owned Lands
• Easement Areas
• Use Guidelines

Progress Energy owns and operates an extensive network of nearly 6,000 miles of transmission lines in North Carolina and South Carolina. These rights of way serve as energy interconnects to safely and efficiently transmit high-voltage electricity from generators to consumers.

Progress Energy receives many requests from landowners, adjoining property owners, community leaders and governmental agencies to use power line rights of way, and we recognize these properties have other compatible uses. Examples of permissible uses include, but are not limited to, agriculture, grazing, parking lots, temporary storage, entrance and exit crossings. We also support the colocation of gas pipelines, water lines and other facilities.

A right of way is land, property or interest therein, usually in a strip, acquired for infrastructure such as a highway, railbed, pipeline, electric power lines or telephone facilities. The land has been set aside as an easement or in fee, either by agreement or by condemnation.

Fee ownership simply means that Progress Energy holds title and all the rights associated with land ownership. Fee-owned lands are available for lease at competitive rates. Progress Energy may grant leases, permits, licenses or perpetual easements for uses compatible with our electric facilities. Fees are charged depending on the use requested. Leases and permits are granted for a specific time period, while license agreements are renewable on a yearly basis. Easements are negotiated for, and valid in, perpetuity.

An easement is the right to use someone else's land. In cases where Progress Energy holds an easement, Progress Energy has purchased specific rights from an underlying property owner, to construct, to operate and to maintain high-voltage electric transmission lines, and other rights convenient to the exercise of those specific rights. The underlying property owner may have certain rights defined in the original grant of easement. Other uses may be permitted with the property owner's written permission, unless those uses impair Progress Energy's ability to use the right of way according to the easement rights granted.

Progress Energy's goal is to provide safe, reliable and economical electrical service to all customers. Keeping electricity reliable requires unobstructed access for maintaining power lines, facilities and rights of way. The following list has been developed to provide owners with a guide for the use of Progress Energy's transmission line rights of way. If you wish to use a Progress Energy transmission right of way, please contact a Progress Energy rights-of-way representative concerning any proposed plans. Contact the Progress Energy Real Estate Department at (919) 546-6205.

All landowners must adhere to any and all of the Transmission Use Guidelines listed below.

• Structures (any man-made assembly), Equipment and Storage: Under limited circumstances, a structure, piece of equipment or storage may be allowed, with prior written approval from an authorized Progress Energy representative – if they meet all of the following criteria:
  
  
  1. Is temporary and is easily and immediately movable at owner's expense. 
  2. Does not restrict complete access and maintenance of line or right of way, or future use by Progress Energy. 
  3. Does not adversely affect the safety of customers, company personnel or the general public. 
  4. Is not located under and at least 15 feet beyond the outside conductor and does not exceed 12 feet in height.
     
     Structures, equipment and storage include, but are not limited to, the following: buildings, sheds, storage facilities, trailers, billboards, signs, street or area lights, hunting stands, recreational facilities, dumpsters, satellite signal-receiver systems, items within storage facilities, garbage, trash, uprooted stumps, boulders, rubble, flammable material, building material, and junk or inoperable vehicles. Permanent or non-movable buildings, swimming pools, mobile homes and airstrips are not allowed within Progress Energy rights-of-way.
     
     
• Immovable Ground Facilities: Under limited circumstances, immovable ground facilities may be allowed, with prior written approval from an authorized Progress Energy representative, if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Parking Lots may be constructed on Progress Energy rights of way with prior written approval from an authorized Progress Energy representative, and if they are in compliance with the following conditions:

• Grading will not be allowed without prior written approval from an authorized Progress Energy representative. Access to Progress Energy facilities must be maintained at all times. Any grading that allows water to pond or to cause erosion around any pole, tower or anchor is prohibited. Grading within 30 feet of any Progress Energy structure or anchor will not be allowed. Slopes may not exceed a one foot rise/fall in elevation over a four feet horizontal distance (1:4 slope).
  
  
• Fences must be installed at least 10 feet away from poles or towers and can not exceed 8 feet in height. Fences may not be attached to Progress Energy poles or towers. If Progress Energy's ability to travel up and down the right of way is impeded, the property owner must install a 12-foot gate(s).
  
  
• Lakes, ponds, erosion control facilities and dams may be allowed, with prior written approval from an authorized Progress Energy representative, if they do not interfere with Progress Energy's access and/or maintenance requirements.
  
  
• Trees, shrubs, bushes, hedges, low-growing evergreens, flowers, grasses, low-growing shrubs or gardens planted within Progress Energy rights of way must not exceed a maximum height of 12 feet at maturity, and may not interfere with Progress Energy's access and/or maintenance requirements. 
  
  
• No item shall be allowed on Progress Energy's rights-of-way that violates the National Electrical Safety Code.
  
  
• No burning activities are allowed in rights of way.