Transmission Line Upgrade Necessary for Reliable Electricity

Lenoir, N.C., (April 29, 2010) – To ensure adequate power resources for Watauga County, engineers with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation have determined that the 60-year-old transmission line serving the area must be upgraded by 2011.

The plan calls for the existing 44KV (kilovolt) transmission line between the cooperative's Boone and Blowing Rock substations to be upgraded this year. This project will increase the capacity of the transmission line to serve growth that’s occurred in the past 60 years and will be built to accommodate predicted future growth forecasted for the next 40 years. The upgraded line will also improve reliability of electricity that members expect from their cooperative.

The tree clearing phase of the project is underway along US 321 near Tweetsie Railroad. This involves re-routing part of the line from the middle of the popular theme park to the roadway, with work scheduled for completion by the end of May. In addition to benefitting Tweetsie, this move will improve right-of-way and other maintenance as well as faster access for power restoration in the event of storms or other damage.

“We know the area may look worse before it looks better, but we’re working with Blue Ridge Electric to make this a smooth process,” said Chris Robbins, president of Tweetsie Railroad.

While the upgraded line will generally follow the existing route, a few other portions of the line will be moved in limited areas to improve access for repairs and maintenance. In locations where it’s possible, two separate lines will be combined into one line to improve aesthetics. Additionally, the current wooden poles will be replaced with fewer metal poles which will also lessen visual clutter.

The plan also calls for the upgrade to be conducted with safety in mind as well as minimal impact to the landscape. Some temporary access roads may be necessary, as well as the cutting of some trees, Blue Ridge Electric will make every effort to restore areas where construction and erosion control measures are put into place. Road construction will be coordinated with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The first phase is scheduled for completion by the end of October depending on weather conditions. The second phase of the improvements, which upgrades the line to the cooperative’s existing Blowing Rock substation, will occur next year. The line serves more than 5,000 members.

"Planning for reliable electricity and the infrastructure that it requires is a complex process that includes planning conducted many years in advance of construction that must be executed at just the right time," explained Doug Johnson, chief executive officer for Blue Ridge Electric. "Our goal is to carefully plan and construct projects of this nature in order to meet the needs of our members and continue delivering reliable electricity.”

Members with questions may contact Mike High, Director of Engineering Services at (828) 759-8928.

Blue Ridge Electric is a cooperative utility serving some 73,000 members in Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and Caldwell counties as well as parts of Avery, Wilkes and Alexander counties.