JULY 2018
matters MEMBERSHIP
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY
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Largest reliability project in Blue Ridge history To ensure adequate, reliable power for its members, Blue Ridge Energy has begun the largest system improvement project in the cooperative’s history. The cooperative currently operates over 26 miles of 230 kV transmission lines from Ashe County to Wilkes County, where we receive transmission grid service from Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC. The 17 miles of transmission lines that bring power from Ashe County to Watauga
within existing rights-of-ways, will upgrade the singlecircuit transmission line to a higher voltage double circuit transmission line to provide capacity to meet electricity demand now and for the next 50 years. To safely carry the higher voltage transmission power lines, existing wooden poles will be replaced with larger steel poles.
Cooperative officials have contacted all members with property along the project’s first phase, which begins in Ashe County at Hwy. 163 near the Obids Cooperative system upgrades are monitored closely as community along Idlewild Road to Hwy. 221. an ongoing process to balance cost and construction The cooperative will meet later this year timing to ensure the most reliable power for members. with members who have property along the second phase of the project, which stretches County are over 50 years old and need to be upgraded for from Hwy. 221 to Hwy. 421 near the Rutherwood comboth reliability and future load growth in Watauga Counmunity in Watauga County. Depending on weather, first ty, which is the cooperative’s largest member district. phase completion should be late 2019. The second phase is targeted to begin in early 2020 and conclude by the end Cooperative system upgrades are monitored closely as of that year. an ongoing process over the years to balance cost and construction timing with ensuring the most reliable “Planning for electric system infrastructure is a complex power for members. This project will be conducted in process with a clear goal of ensuring the most reliable, two phases as part of this process. adequate supply of electricity to meet the needs of our members while keeping costs as low as possible,” said The project, which is being conducted predominately John Coffey, chief operating officer of Blue Ridge Energy.
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