Patriot Substation and 100-kV Transmission Line

Currently, vegetation removal is expected to begin in 2023. Site grading and civil construction are expected to begin in 2025. Construction is expected to be complete by 2026. (The project timeline should be applicable to both the entire project and the transmission line.)

Projected impacts are minimal. The greatest potential safety impact is related to traffic management measures along Highway 81 and 74 during the construction period, which will be required to minimize disruptions to traffic flow. Duke Energy will continue to communicate with the community to reduce potential traffic impacts to the greatest extent practicable throughout the construction of the overall project. There are thousands of electrical substations throughout the American electrical grid. Many are out in the country surrounded by fields, many are in densely populated urban areas, commercial areas, and residential neighborhoods all throughout South Carolina and the US. We take great care in the planning, design, construction, and security of our substation sites. 

Electric and Magnetic Fields

If the question is related to Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF)and potential health impacts, the EMF readings measured at the edge of a substation fence are negligible. 

The peak EMF estimates for the substation are well below international health-based standards for acceptable general public exposure and are consistent with levels found in typical residences where electricity is used and electric appliances are operating. Additional information on EMF can be found on the Duke Energy website at Electric Safety - Duke Energy (duke-energy.com).

A normal increase in construction-related traffic is expected. Typical construction work hours are 7 a.m.—7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Following construction, the substation will be an unmanned facility, with maintenance activities resulting in 1 - 2 trips a month to the substation.

The site will be secured by a 7-foot chain-link fence. During construction, the contractor will take appropriate steps to secure the site.

Duke Energy will take all reasonable measures to avoid impacts and/or intermittent disruptions of power during construction of this project. Minimal potential impacts could be related to outage requirements on the existing transmission line that could affect larger businesses. However, if outages are anticipated we would work them to mitigate any impacts. However, there should be no impact to distribution customers.