Letter from Jimmy Flythe, Duke Energy’s regional director of government and community relations (As read aloud by Deanna Border at the May 31 Isaac Dickson PTO meeting):
We have received a request from the school board and the city to find an alternative location for the substation. We have agreed to consider other options. We have also determined this week that we will try to build a substation on Hilliard Avenue. If this is possible then the need for a Hill Street substation moves out several years.
The Hilliard site is actually better, but it is more challenging to build than the Hill Street site. We would like for the school community to know that Duke Energy is addressing a growing demand for electricity in Asheville. We are obligated to provide safe, reliable and affordable electricity at all times. We take this obligation seriously.
I think all concerned accept the need for new infrastructure. Substations are a necessary part of this infrastructure. Our team has conducted a thorough and exhaustive study and search to identify three substation sites around Asheville that can safely meet the need for years to come.
We believe the Hill Street site can be developed as safely and aesthetically coexist in the surrounding community. Substations are designed to keep the public safe. However, we recognize the school community’s strong opposition to this location because of the perceived safety concerns.
I think we have demonstrated that EMF of the substation will not have any effect on the school due to the distance from the substation equipment. School officials have shared with us that despite this, there is still perceived danger and parents will likely not send their children to the school if it is next to a substation.
School PTO leadership and concerned parents have expressed to us that the school community will do everything they can to stop the substation from being built, and have also agreed to help us identify an alternative location.
Thus, we have taken the actions above to consider alternatives, and will meet again with the school PTO representatives in the near future. I will also say that the city has committed to help us identify alternative locations.
Yours truly,
Jimmy Flythe
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