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Progress Energy recently announced plans to retire three coal-fired units at the Lee Plant near Goldsboro and replace them with clean-burning natural gas-fueled generation. The new generation is scheduled to be online in 2013 and will add a significant amount of lower-emission power capability to the Progress Energy fleet.
Progress Energy must enhance the transmission system in the area to ensure that the electricity produced in the new, low-emission power plant can get to where it's needed 24 hours a day. The upgrade is needed to prevent system overloading when the new plant comes online.
The planned transmission system enhancements will provide enhanced reliability for Goldsboro, Wayne County, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the surrounding region.
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The plan calls for extending an existing 115-kilovolt (kV) feeder line from a point near the northwest side of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to an existing switching station in Goldsboro. The new section of line will be 3.5 to 5.5 miles long, depending on the final route selected. The new line will be built along city road rights of way and private property. Property owners whose land is used for the project will maintain ownership of their land used as a utility easement, with some restrictions on its use.
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PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
The project will require a number of local, state and federal permits and approvals, including environmental and construction permits. Progress Energy will continue to work with local governments and agencies to ensure that the project complements local growth plans. Progress Energy will comply with all regulatory requirements related to the construction and operation of the facilities. Once a route is selected, Progress Energy will conduct a detailed environmental review to identify any potential impacts and all needed permits.
The project does not require a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the N.C. Utilities Commission (NCUC) since the operating voltage of the line will be 115 kV. Progress Energy will, however, follow its standard process for including input from property owners and others.
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Progress Energy believes public participation is critical to the success of the project. Progress Energy will hold a public information meeting on Monday, June 7, at the Wayne Center, 208 West Chestnut St., in Goldsboro. The meeting will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and will follow an open-house format, allowing interested property owners and others to come and go as they like. Progress Energy representatives will be on hand to discuss the project's scope, schedule and other aspects of the plan, and to address property owner questions. Progress Energy also will make information available via the news media and on the company's website.
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LAND ACQUISITION
Progress Energy land agents will work individually with property owners along the selected route to purchase easements for the facilities. The easement width required will likely range from 25 feet along roads to 70 feet (35 feet on both sides of the centerline) where the line crosses open areas. Progress Energy negotiates individually with property owners for easements to permit construction and maintenance of the transmission facilities. Landowners retain ownership of the property with some restrictions on its use.
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SCHEDULE
A preferred route for the project is expected to be selected in late summer, with construction of the line beginning in early 2012. The line will be placed into service in late 2012. Additional engineering and design and other milestones and activities will occur before construction gets under way. In-service dates are based on current information and are subject to change based on adjustments in growth and usage projections and other criteria.
Part of a balanced solution to meeting future needs
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 a state-of-the-art power system is a key component of a balanced solution to meeting future energy needs – along with increased energy efficiency and investments in renewable energy technologies.
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