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Residents urge commissioners to oppose Duke Energy gas plant and question county NDA
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Summary
Multiple Davidson County residents told commissioners they oppose a proposed Duke Energy methane gas plant and associated pipeline, citing water withdrawals from the Yadkin River, air-quality risks and a county nondisclosure agreement with Duke that limits disclosure of project details.
DAVIDSON COUNTY — Dozens of residents urged the Davidson County Board of Commissioners on April 27 to oppose a proposed Duke Energy methane gas plant and the associated SSEP pipeline, warning of local health, environmental and community impacts and criticizing a county nondisclosure agreement with the utility.
At the start of public comment, Phil Ryals of Hunters Point told commissioners he opposes the proposed plant, saying it is estimated to draw about 600,000 gallons of water daily from the Yadkin River, ‘‘about 200,000 gallons of that water will be evaporated into the air’’ and roughly 400,000 gallons ‘‘go back into the river’’ as hot water that could harm aquatic life and surrounding plant life.
‘‘I would like to suggest that it be seriously considered not to approve this plant coming into Davidson County,’’ Ryals said.
Several other speakers echoed concerns about water use, air emissions and local impacts. Josh Hedrick, who said he owns 83 acres bordering the proposed site, cited the plant’s reported scale — ‘‘1.36 gigawatts’’ — and called the 2½‑billion‑dollar construction figure and projected generation capacity reasons to question whether the local economic benefits justify the community costs.
Crystal Norford, who noted Duke Energy’s proposal appears in the company’s carbon plan under review by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, urged commissioners to oppose the plants and warned air monitoring data already puts Davidson County close to federal fine‑particulate limits. ‘‘The fine particulate matter air monitor in Davidson County ... reads ... a design value of 8.8 micrograms per cubic meter. The national limit is 9 micrograms per cubic meter,’’ she said, arguing added emissions could push the county into nonattainment.
Multiple speakers also asked why the county had signed an NDA with Duke Energy. A county staff member responded during public comment: ‘‘We are currently under a nondisclosure agreement with Duke. That is based on its standard procedure on economic development projects for those to come through,’’ and said the NDA is standard practice to allow negotiations and evaluation of investments.
Speakers urged the board to continue the county’s December resolution of concern and to contact state and federal regulators. Residents repeatedly noted that permitting authority for pipelines and some energy permits rests with state and federal agencies, not the county, and several speakers urged constituents to contact state legislators and the Utilities Commission.
No formal county vote on the Duke proposal was taken at the meeting; the board heard public comment and staff confirmed the existence of an NDA limiting detailed disclosures about ongoing economic‑development discussions.
What’s next: The county did not adopt a new directive on Duke Energy at the meeting. Residents were advised by commissioners to pursue comments with the NC Utilities Commission and contact state lawmakers; the county’s previously passed resolution of concern was cited by residents as prior board action addressing the issue.
