On February 7, 2022, Duke Energy Progress, LLC, (DEP) filed a request for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public convenience and necessity to build about 1.3 miles of 230 kV transmission line in Chatham County.

The southern end of this proposed line would be a tap of DEP’s existing Harris Plant – Siler City 230-kV line, which would be about 200 feet southeast of the Bynum Tap 230-kV line. From there the line would travel north, paralleling DEP’s existing Bynum Tap 230-kV line for about 1.1 miles. The line would continue northeast for about .25 miles to its northern endpoint, which would be a new substation site south of Hanks Chapel Road. DEP’s application includes a siting study with a map showing the location of its preferred route on Figure 8 (approximately page 47 of this document).

DEP states that this new line is needed to serve existing and future residential and commercial customers. DEP cites the new Chatham Park development in eastern Chatham County, stating that this development will eventually house about 60,000 people.

The Commission has scheduled a public witness hearing for 7:00 p.m., on June 7, 2022, on the 2nd floor of the Historic Chatham County Courthouse, 9 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro. This hearing might be cancelled if no significant protests are received on or before May 18, 2022. This hearing is for the sole purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses. Here is information on how to testify before the Commission.

In addition, the public can file statements with the Commission via email or by mailing comments to the address below. In either case, be sure to put the docket number of this proceeding in the subject line. After two or three business days, written comments become part of the official record and can be viewed via this website under the docket number.

The Public Staff – North Carolina Utilities Commission is a separate agency that investigates utility matters and represents the using and consuming public in proceedings before the Commission, including this one. You can send them a statement or a question by email.

The Commission has scheduled an expert witness hearing for June 21, 2022, starting at 10:00 a.m. This hearing is for the purpose of hearing testimony from expert witnesses, including DEP and the Public Staff. There will not be an opportunity for citizen testimony at this hearing, but members of the public may watch the hearing via YouTube from a link that will be available on this website the day of the hearing. This hearing will be held in Commission Hearing Room 2115, Dobbs Building, 430 No. Salisbury, Raleigh.