Town of Biltmore Forest Targeted Undergrounding Project

Targeted undergrounding focuses on the most outage-prone overhead power lines that deliver power to neighborhoods, homes and businesses. These overhead lines are different from higher voltage lines that carry power from power plants across regions and into cities and towns. By using advanced data to target less reliable line segments, we can help ensure that all customers along a line enjoy the same high-quality service.

Yes. While this work will result in significant reliability improvements, portions of the Duke Energy system will remain above ground and will continue to experience the effects of severe weather such as high winds and ice storms. Undergrounding outage-prone line segments will help to reduce the number of outages after a major storm and can help speed restoration for all customers. Additional work to harden remaining overhead lines and install intelligent technology that can reroute power to reduce or avoid outages will build upon this undergrounding work as part of a layered approach to improving reliability across the state.

Possibly. We are using an objective, data-driven process to identify the most outage-prone lines in our operating areas. As these lines are identified, a project team will begin a comprehensive outreach process to coordinate with property owners and neighborhoods to underground targeted lines.

We rely on electricity to power our lives – at work, school and home. Power outages can result in lost work, sales and productivity. With underground targeted distribution lines, faster power restoration after a storm means that life can return to normal more quickly for residents and businesses.

We plan to use directional drilling rather than open trenches to minimize disruption to trees and landscaping. We will work with property owners as we determine acceptable routing for underground lines. Directional drilling provides a low-impact way to install conduit and cables underground. Some minimal tree trimming or removal may be necessary as we remove overhead lines.

No. We will remove debris and restore the customer’s property in close coordination with the owner.

The time required for construction will vary among projects. For subdivisions, we may work in the community for many months at multiple locations. We will advise property owners and neighborhood organizations on work that may impact their service and property, and what to expect as a project is planned.

In addition, we will notify customers in advance of any planned outages associated with the work. An outage to make the final conversion from overhead to underground service is typically short in duration. We will proactively work to share outage details with affected customers.

Our goal is always to minimize disruptions to customers as much as possible. This project is a multi-step process, and we appreciate customers’ patience as we work to improve electric service reliability.

Each project has a proposed underground route designed. Routes may cross properties that won’t receive underground service, but an easement area is needed to cross these properties to provide underground service for neighboring customers. This easement area allows us to install and repair underground lines as needed to maintain reliable service for all customers served by a line.

Duke Energy will provide phone, telecommunications and cable companies whose services are also located on our poles the opportunity to place their lines underground in conjunction with our installation. However, they will decide whether to participate. Because each project will be evaluated separately by these other companies, poles will likely remain in place pending their decisions. 

Undergrounding electric service will still proceed, regardless, so we can deliver the improved reliability benefits this work will provide. All our overhead wires, transformers and other equipment will be removed from the designated poles even if other utilities remain.

Property owners should call 811 to have lines located prior to any digging.

Learn more about the ways Duke Energy is working to build a better energy grid in North Carolina.