As a grandmother of a child who will be attending the new Isaac Dickson Elementary School in the fall, I’m very concerned that Duke Energy is planning to build a large, 115-kilovolt power substation — 200 feet from the school property line!
The electromagnetic field, a form of radiation, is a health risk for the 500-plus children enrolled at Isaac Dickson. Valid studies have shown an increased risk of childhood leukemia and other cancers in children exposed to EMFs. There are a number of other dangers. In October 2014, in Florida, a boy was killed when he scaled the fence of a power substation — built next to a park! — to retrieve his basketball. There have been situations where children have climbed fences surrounding EMF substations and have been electrocuted.
[Earlier this month], in Candor, a substation exploded into flames and billowing smoke! This is not a structure that should be built anywhere near a school or where children gather!
The Isaac Dickson PTO has strongly objected to the location of this substation because of health and safety risks for the students. The Asheville [Board of Education] has written a resolution due to its concern about this location of a Duke Energy substation.
City officials also need to be advocates for the safety and well-being of Asheville children.
— Marge Renfroe
Asheville
Thank you for bringing that to the public’s attention, Marge. As a parent of an Isaac Dickson student, I am also worried about the safety of the children so close to such powerful electricity. I hope the neighbors nearby are alerted as well. There is a public forum at the school on May 31st and I am planning on attending to hear more about this and see what can be done.