Duke Energy seeks easement across county and school property; commissioners postpone decision to regular meeting

Duke Energy representatives asked the Burke County Board of Commissioners on April 7 for approval to sign an easement allowing installation of electric facilities from an existing pad-mounted transformer on county property at Tedron High School to serve a customer, Natural Land Alliance.

Wendy McCrane, Duke Energy oversight land agent, said the company requested signature on the easement and that the school and legal counsel had reviewed the proposal. "We are here today to request approval and signature on an easement giving us permission to install our facilities from an existing pad mount transformer located on Drawn High School, Burke County property to serve our customer Natural Land Alliance," McCrane said.

During the discussion, the board and staff identified a second, adjacent strip of land owned by the Board of Education that would also be crossed by the proposed facilities. Commissioners asked the manager and county attorney to review that additional easement and the related school-board approval. The board decided to move the item from consent to the decision agenda to allow review and to await the school board's action.

Why it matters: Approving easements affects county property rights and school property access and can require coordinated sign-off with other public entities. Commissioners sought legal review before final approval.

What's next: The easement will be considered as a decision item at the regular meeting after the county and school officials review the second easement and provide requested legal input.