CINCINNATI, April 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Ohio
is moving forward with its application before the Ohio Power Siting
Board (OPSB) to construct its proposed Central Corridor Pipeline in
Hamilton County to ensure the safe
and reliable delivery of natural gas to its customers in southwest
Ohio for decades to
come.
In August 2017, Duke Energy Ohio
asked the OPSB for a delay in its application process to allow the
company additional time to examine site-specific matters it became
aware of through meetings with property owners and municipalities
along the proposed alternate, or western, route that runs primarily
through Blue Ash, Evendale and Reading.
Since then, Duke Energy Ohio has been advancing the design and
alignment of this route. This involved taking a more in-depth look
at all properties where the pipeline would be located, including
near the Pristine Inc. Superfund site in Reading. Duke Energy Ohio conducted additional
environmental testing including soil borings along the western
route, in addition to reviewing records of existing environmental
databases.
Duke Energy Ohio also continued meeting with property owners and
community leaders along the proposed western route. As a result of
the meetings and field activities, the company has made some minor
adjustments on individual properties located along the western
route.
This natural gas pipeline, approximately 13 miles long and
20 inches in diameter, is needed to balance the natural gas supply,
improve our natural gas infrastructure and decommission two propane
peaking stations. These peaking stations are used to supplement the
local gas supply on the coldest days of the year.
The proposed pipeline would connect to an existing Duke Energy
Ohio pipeline near the intersection of Butler, Warren and Hamilton counties and extend to an existing
company pipeline in either the Norwood area or the Fairfax area.
There are two proposed routes in Duke Energy Ohio's application –
an eastern route and a western route.
"Duke Energy Ohio is committed to safely constructing this
needed pipeline while mitigating impacts to the residential and
business communities," said James
Olberding, project manager. "Since August, we've had nearly
60 additional meetings with property owners and local officials
along the alternate route. Public input is an important part of
this siting process, and ensures that Duke Energy Ohio and the OPSB
have feedback from those that may be potentially impacted by
the proposed pipeline project."
The Central Corridor Pipeline project will help strengthen our
natural gas system and position Duke Energy Ohio to continue our
long history of providing safe and reliable natural gas service to
our Ohio communities.
Next Steps
Duke Energy Ohio is proposing that the OPSB reschedule the
adjudicatory hearing in Columbus
for later this spring or summer. This hearing will allow parties in
the case to provide sworn testimony and cross-examine witnesses.
The OPSB will issue its decision on the pipeline sometime after the
hearing is complete.
About Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky
Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky's
operations provide electric service to about 850,000 residential,
commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service
area and natural gas service to approximately 529,000
customers.
Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the
company is available at duke-energy.com.
The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for
journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and
videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online
destination for stories about people, innovations, and community
and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and
insights into the future of energy.
Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and
Facebook.
Media Contact: Sally Thelen
Office: 513.287.2432
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy