Crews from Edwards Pipeline in Denver laid sections of 6-inch steel transmission pipe along the U.S. 23/74 right of way near Crawford Cemetery Road Tuesday to carry natural gas from PSNC Energy into Sylva. From a point near the Comfort Inn, 8 miles of plastic distribution pipe will be installed on both Skyland Drive and Cope Creek Road to N.C. 107 and on to Western Carolina University. Natural gas lines will eventually extend to Jackson Industrial Park in Whittier. - Herald photo by Rose Hooper PSNC Energy began construction this week on 18 miles of pipeline that will deliver natural gas to Jackson County. The new lines will help fuel the county's economic viability, said Tom McClure, chairman of the county Economic Development Commission. The first phase of the construction project will bring natural gas to Western Carolina University in Cullowhee by about August, McClure said. By late November natural gas should be available in Sylva. "When we surveyed Jackson County industries about their needs, without fail they indicated natural gas would benefit them and may even decrease their operating costs," Tamera Crisp, Jackson County's director of Planning and Economic Development, said. PSNC Energy will connect the new natural gas distribution system to its existing system in Waynesville. During the first phase of construction, the company plans to install 10 miles of 6-inch steel transmission pipeline along the U.S. 23/74 right of way to Sylva. A crew from Edwards Pipeline in Denver was working near Crawford Cemetery Road Tuesday. "Our team has the section from the Blue Ridge Parkway down," Crewman Mike Mincey said. "Another crew will be at Comfort Inn and work upwards." Steel pipe is being used along the highway route because it is stronger and can bear the natural gas load better than plastic, Mincey said. From Sylva, 8 miles of 8-inch plastic distribution pipeline will be installed along N.C. 107 and Old Cullowhee Road to Cullowhee. After taking a southern route in the county, lines will be extended to the Jackson Industrial Park in Whittier, McClure told the EDC at a recent meeting. The gas company plans to expand to Swain County in 2003. The cost of bringing nearly 60 miles of gas transmission lines to Jackson and Swain counties and building four distribution systems is anticipated at $31.4 million, McClure said. Partial funding for the project is coming from the N.C. Utilities Commission and the $200 million bond referendum approved by voters statewide in 1998. The expansion is made possible through the N.C. Natural Gas Expansion Act, which was enacted in 1991 and provides funds to expand natural gas service into areas otherwise uneconomical to serve. State government and the N.C. Utilities Commission worked together to create this fund to support economic growth throughout the state. The fund allowed PSNC Energy to expand service to Haywood County in 1998. In June 2000, Western North Carolina legislators, including Sen. Bob Carpenter, Sen. Dan Robinson and Rep. Phil Haire, urged the N.C. Utilities Commission to support PSNC Energy's move here. Motorists in the area of U.S. 23/74 and N.C. 107 are urged to use caution and be prepared for possible minor traffic delays. In the event of a lane closure, traffic and flag crews will be on site to direct drivers. Tiny orange marker flags now along the highway advise the crews of buried cable lines. PSNC Energy is franchised to serve a 28-county service area in North Carolina and distributes natural gas to approximately 370,000 winter-peak customers in 95 cities and communities ranging from the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill areas in the north central part of the state; the Concord, Statesville, Gastonia and Forest City areas in the Piedmont; to the Asheville, Hendersonville and Brevard areas in the western part of the state. More information about PSNC Energy is available through the company's web site at www.psncenergy.com. |