Reliability Project to Benefit 52,000 in Three Counties
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
West Jefferson, North Carolina (April 6, 2006) –A major investment in reliability for members of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation will begin Monday, April 10,as an 8-mile stretch of existing transmission line in Ashe County is upgraded from 100 kv to 230 kv (kilovolts).
The increased capacity means some 52,000 members in Ashe, Watauga and Alleghany counties will have more reliable electricity and will have assurance of continued reliable power as the counties experience growth in consumer and business power needs over the coming years.
As part of the reliability project, a new substation will also be constructed behind the Dr. Pepper warehouse on Hwy. 163 in West Jefferson.
To inform members of the project, Blue Ridge Electric officials have been visiting approximately 100 members who own property along the transmission right of way. The transmission line is located near Hwy. 163, running from Hwy. 16 in the Obids community into West Jefferson.
The new power lines will be constructed with taller steel poles since higher voltage generally requires a greater amount of ground clearance. However, the new construction also enables the cooperative to reduce the number of poles currently in place.
The $18 million project represents the largest reliability investment ever made on the Blue Ridge Electric system.
“This project is vital for our members in these three counties to continue enjoying dependable electricity now and in the future,” said Mike High, director of electric plant development. “The Horse Gap substation which currently serves our mountain districts is becoming heavily loaded and it is nearing its capacity to serve these counties,” he explained. “While the Horse Gap substation will remain in use, the new substation will provide more capacity. Modernization of these facilities and our electric plant will improve power reliability for our members.”
The project is slated for completion by the end of 2007.
Blue Ridge Electric, a Touchstone Energy cooperative, serves some 69,000 members in the counties of Ashe, Alleghany, Watauga, Wilkes, Caldwell, Alexander, and Avery. Touchstone Energy is a national network of more than 600 electric cooperatives providing daily energy and energy solutions with integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community to more than 17 million member-owners.
