Residents call for transparency after meetings for Duke substation proposal canceled

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Residents are calling for transparency and communication after Duke Energy and the city of Asheville came to a "mutual agreement" to cancel the Aug. 11 and Aug. 22 community meetings regarding a controversial substation proposal.

To meet growing energy needs in downtown Asheville, Duke Energy is exploring the idea of replacing its existing substation behind Harrah's Cherokee Center with another across the street in a parking lot owned by the city of Asheville on Rankin Avenue. It would involve a potential land swap with the city.

The proposal, as well as the cancellation of the meetings, have been met with criticism from some in the community.

"We have people sitting right here enjoying our cider, and, if there's going to be a huge power station with a huge wall next to us, we need to know because it's going to make this location a very different place," said Robin Stevens, an owner and head of sales and marketing for Noble Cider.

His business is next door to the spot where the new substation could be.

MEETINGS REGARDING DOWNTOWN SUBSTATION CALLED OFF TO 'ADDRESS OPTIONS'

Stevens and several others have joined to form a group called Friends of Lexington Avenue to fight the proposal. They are concerned the project could clear out a canopy of trees and be an eyesore, among other potential impacts. Renderings Duke submitted to city staff show the tree buffer being replaced with a large retaining wall that flanks a parking lot on Lexington Avenue.

"With the possibility of this substation arriving right next door, there's suddenly going to be a year of building works probably, and then there's going to be this big huge wall right there," Stevens said.

Stevens said he's also upset he didn't get the opportunity to voice those concerns to Duke and city officials at the community meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 11.

"I came along merrily this morning, ready to communicate freely with Duke and the city, and I discovered it was canceled," Stevens said.

He said he feels like "there's been a cloud of mystery around the whole thing."

"We've found it really hard to find out what's really going on, and we would love for there just to be more clarity and just more communication, just so we know what is happening," Stevens said.

OPPONENTS: DUKE SUBSTATION WOULD TAKE OUT ONE OF DOWNTOWN'S LAST URBAN FOREST CANOPIES

When asked about those residents' transparency concerns, Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks said, "I certainly understand a resident's concern or a neighbor's concern about wanting to understand about this project. But I think we've done a really good job of trying to reach out and be transparent. I mean, we've gone door-to-door, shared information, we've created a direct communication line to a human being that will talk to them about the project."

Brooks said Duke Energy just needed time to digest the input they've gotten so far.

"In no way are we trying to close off communication with people. This was just kind of a catch our breath, pause to reevaluate some of the information that we have and determine what the next right steps are," Brooks said.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer provided the following statement:

The City Council has asked that city staff continue to work with Duke Energy on all possible solutions to address the immediate need for Duke Energy to replace the aged electrical substation on Rankin Avenue behind Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. We understand that reliable, safe power is critical to our city, and balancing that need with the aesthetic and safety concerns of the community requires more time, attention and study before considering additional solutions to the substation’s replacement.”

Despite canceling the meetings, Brooks said Duke has "not changed our plans at this point, we're continuing to do the due diligence on this project." He emphasizes, it's all still in the conceptualizing stage.

There is also the option of upgrading the existing substation behind Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville, which some residents wish the utility would do instead.

"I totally understand Duke's need to supply the city with electricity. We need electricity, for sure, but if they could rebuild on the site where they are, which they say they can, why don't they do that?" Stevens said.

But that also comes with challenges, Brooks said.

"It's a challenging engineering problem when you have a substation in service that you want to upgrade and make it larger," Brooks said.

As far as rescheduling those community meetings, Brooks said that will happen, though he doesn't have an exact date.

In the meantime, he said Duke welcomes residents to share their thoughts by contacting the utility. If you'd like to voice your input on this, you can email MountainRegion@duke-energy.com or call West Region Transmission Public Engagement Hotline at 800-952-0414.

You can also find more information about this proposal here.