After a comprehensive review of dozens of alternatives, Progress Energy Carolinas has selected a route for a new 115-kV electric transmission line needed to ensure a continued reliable supply of electricity for the region.

The transmission project, announced in 2008, represents a $25 million investment in the electric system that serves homes and businesses throughout Western North Carolina. The route was chosen after an evaluation process that included significant input from property owners, government agencies and others.

The selected route represents the best overall choice that minimizes impacts on property owners, the environment, cultural and natural resources and other considerations. Progress Energy has notified area residents whose property is affected by the selected route.

The company's continuous assessment of electric system needs indicates that by 2010, under certain circumstances, reliability of the electric transmission system that serves the region could be compromised. Such an occurrence would violate federal reliability standards, which were revised and strengthened in response to the Northeast blackout of 2003. In order to ensure continued compliance with federal standards, the company has planned a two-phase project:

• The first phase is an upgrade of the existing Asheville-Enka transmission line, currently operating at 115 kV, to 230 kV. That portion of the project, scheduled to be in service by December 2010, will not require additional easements from property owners.
• The second phase includes construction of a new 10-mile 115-kV transmission line between the company's Asheville Plant at Skyland and the Enka 230-kV substation at
  414 Sardis Road
  . That portion of the project is scheduled to be in service in late 2012 and will require acquisition of easements from some property owners.
• The new transmission line will be built on 100-foot-wide property easements to be negotiated with property owners.

Ensuring state-of-the-art power plants and delivery systems is a critical part of Progress Energy's balanced solution for meeting the needs of a growing service area. The company also is focused on significantly increasing energy efficiency (through a variety of customer programs under way or in development) and on strategic investments in renewable energy technologies.

Remaining schedule
Surveying and mapping of the selected route and initial right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to begin this year. Clearing is scheduled to begin in 2011, followed by construction of the line. The project is expected to be in service by December 2012.

The schedule and selected route are based on the best available current information. Some components of large-scale projects can change based on changes in growth and usage projections and other criteria.

Current construction plans call for the line to be suspended on steel-pole structures (some with guy wires and some without). The poles are generally 80 to 110 feet above ground and spaced every 500 to 700 feet apart, depending on terrain. Easements enable Progress Energy to build and maintain the line. Property owners retain ownership of the land, with some restrictions on its use.

The project is one of several major transmission system enhancements planned or under way throughout Progress Energy's service area as part of the company's plan to ensure a continuous, reliable flow of electricity to customers. Building and maintaining state-of-the-art power plants and delivery systems is a key component of a balanced solution to meeting future energy needs -- along with increased energy efficiency and investments in renewable energy technologies.