Duke Energy Adds Two Provisions to S.C. Underground Distribution Installation Plan; Provisions Affect All New Developments

Duke Energy Carolinas recently gained approval from the Public Service Commission of South Carolina to raise general rates in the state, the first such increase since 1991. As part of the increase, the Commission approved two new provisions to Duke Energy Carolinas’ South Carolina Underground Distribution Installation Plan – the established guidelines for installing underground power lines for new residential, commercial and industrial construction.

The new Idle Facilities provision (No. 15) allows Duke Energy Carolinas to limit the installation of underground electrical facilities to new developments and phases that the company anticipates being built out within a reasonable period of time.

“The Idle Facilities provision protects Duke Energy Carolinas from projects that may not progress at a rate that warrants investment on our company’s part,” said Rob Combs, Duke Energy Carolinas’ general manager of distribution design. “Builders and developers can continue to have electrical infrastructure in the entire development if they choose, but under a shared-risk model. This will save both Duke Energy Carolinas and our customers money in the long term, while still providing developers with the electrical infrastructure needed to power their new developments.”

Developers of projects that do not meet that new criterion may still obtain underground installation by paying the associated costs, plus an Idle Facilities deposit. Duke Energy Carolinas will review the facilities annually for a period of five years and refund all or part of the deposit, with interest, based on the number of active meters added to the project during the preceding 12 months.

Only defined development plans and drawings submitted to the company on or after the implementation date of Feb. 1, 2010, will be considered under the revised Underground Distribution Installation Plan.

In addition to the Idle Facilities provision, the Public Service Commission of South Carolina approved General Provision 16. This provision clarifies the responsibilities of Duke Energy Carolinas and property owners when concrete-encased duct systems are to be installed on private versus public property.

Both new provisions align the South Carolina Underground Distribution Installation Plan with that of North Carolina.

For a copy of the revised South Carolina Underground Distribution Installation Plan, please visit Duke-Energy.com.