News

County seeks independent study of power line

By Bill Moss, Published: September 8, 2015

Under pressure from homeowners opposed to a proposed transmission line crossing the county, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners on Monday formally asked for an independent review of the need for the power line and called on Duke Energy to use single-pole infrastructure, follow existing rights of way, bury the line where possible and work with local government to allow a greenway under the lines.

A resolution the board unanimously adopted said that the transmission line would have “negative impacts on Henderson County property and the Henderson County economy” and that it would affect homeowners who “never purchased their property with the knowledge that a high-voltage power line would be constructed in their immediate vicinity.”
Besides requesting an independent study of the need for the project, the resolution asked the Utilities Commission “to hold a mandatory public hearing on this project in Henderson County.”
The resolution also asks Duke Energy specifically to:

• Locate the power line in existing easements.
• Use fabricated steel monopoles “with a natural color which blends with the adjacent natural colors.”
• Make every effort to bury the lines underground in areas where an overhead line would affect the long range views in subdivisions.
• Use additional support poles that would allow lower poles.
• Permit construction of public greenway trails within the power line easement and “participate in the development of such trails whenever possible."
• Fully and completely compensate negatively affected property owners.

“I’m quite pleased with the way the resolution was worded, particularly in that they seem to be challenging the justification for the project and requesting an independent study,” said Gordon Smith, a Zirconia resident active in the power line opposition. “It’s a great step. I think it will be useful. I think it’s in line with the public’s position on this project.”
Board of Commissioners Chair Tommy Thompson said commissioners had discussed the resolution with Hendersonville City Council members. He predicted the council would pass the same resolution or one similar to the county’s statement. The board devoted no other public discussion to the resolution. The City Council is holding a special called meeting on Thursday to take up a resolution on the transmission line.

Tom Hill of Zirconia thanked the commissioners for adopting the resolution.

"You have listened to the people of this community and I salute you," he said.