Why do we need these transmission
lines and why now?
The proposed transmission line is needed to provide the
necessary service to support continued economic growth on the Outer Banks
and provide an alternate source of electrical service to the area. Due to
projected demand for electricity in the area, the transmission and distribution
infrastructure will be inadequate to handle customer demand for contingency
loss of the existing transmission line.
What happens if we just leave things as
they currently are?
The present transmission and distribution facilities are
not sufficient to handle customer demand under contingency conditions beyond
summer 2007. The present transmission facilities will not be able to handle
projected demand for electricity under normal conditions beyond summer 2012.
These contingency conditions may result in blackout conditions in the area.
How will the installation of this
transmission project benefit me, the resident?
The installation of this transmission line will ensure continuation
of reliable service to the customers by providing an alternate transmission
source to the area and eliminate future overloading. The line is necessary
to support the continued economic growth on the Outer Banks. This project
will expedite service restoration to the customers for emergency loses of
either transmission source. This transmission line will minimize outage frequency
and duration to customers.
Underground transmission lines have higher exposure to
incidental damage by the public and are not as desirable from an operational
point of view. The duration of outages for underground transmission lines
are significantly greater compared to overhead lines due to the complexities
of locating failures and facilitating repairs. In addition to the reliability
and operational constraints of underground transmission lines, they remain
enormously expensive to install and maintain. Labor and material costs for
the installation of a 115 kV underground transmission line would be 5 to 10
times more expensive than an overhead option. Additional
underground information is included on this Web site.
I understand that Southern Shores,
Duck and Avon have their power lines underground. Why can't we get ours underground?
These are distribution voltage power lines (35 kV or less).
Avon is served by CHEMC. Southern Shores' property owners paid for conversion
of the facilities to underground. Duck has overhead distribution lines with
subdivisions served by underground, for which the developers/property owners
paid the incremental installation cost. The new distribution circuit from
Kitty Hawk to Colington Substation was installed underground because it cost
less than double-circuit overhead line along Hwy 158.
If the placement of the proposed transmission poles along
route 158 coincides with an existing distribution pole, the distribution on
that particular pole could be transferred to the transmission structure and
the distribution pole could be removed.
Why can't Dominion just use the existing
poles to place more lines on them instead of building an additional line?
The existing poles were designed to support the mechanical
load imposed by the conductors that presently exist and were not designed
to support an additional circuit. An additional circuit on the poles would
impose more weight and wind load than the poles are capable of carrying. Extended
outages over the period of six to nine months would be required to replace
the existing structures to accommodate a second circuit. Additional right
of way would be required impacting in excess of 160 residences and 60 additional
lots.
What, if any, are the possible health
issues associated with EMF from nearby transmission lines?
Dominion is committed to supplying electricity in a responsible
and safe manner, and this commitment fully includes concern over possible
health hazards from exposure to 60-Hertz (Hz) electric and magnetic fields.
Research results to date show no conclusive evidence of health risks from
either field. Dominion is sensitive to public concern that has been raised
by some studies. We continue to take electric and magnetic field readings
at customers' requests and provide timely information. Dominion’s current
transmission line design standards incorporate best practices to reduce EMF.
Additional EMF
information is included on this Web site.
