North Carolina Construction News staff writer
North Carolina’s electrical grid is getting a financial boost to expand capacity for renewable energy storage. Funding announced this week at Duke Energy’s Garner facility, is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s efforts to modernize the country’s power infrastructure.
The $57 million grant allocated to North Carolina will support the reconstruction of the Lee-Milburnie transmission line, a 35-mile stretch running through Wake, Johnston, and Wayne Counties. This project, a joint effort between the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the State Energy Office, and Duke Energy, will cover half of the project’s costs, with Duke Energy covering the remaining amount.
The upgraded transmission line is expected to address rising electricity demands in Eastern North Carolina and reduce power outages for over 14,000 customers.
“This funding will make electricity cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable for our homes and businesses,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “It will support our growing industries and create quality jobs across the state.”
The GRIP Program, part of a $10.5 billion federal initiative, aims to improve the nation’s power grid resilience and ensure reliable electricity. Today’s $2.2 billion funding announcement builds on an earlier $3.46 billion investment for 58 projects nationwide.
“This grant is a win for the communities we serve and highlights North Carolina’s leadership in the energy transition,” said Duke Energy North Carolina State President Kendal Bowman. “It will reduce power outages, enhance the system’s resilience against extreme weather, and create new job opportunities and partnerships with local organizations.”
The funding is a key step in modernizing the U.S. electrical grid, ensuring a more reliable, sustainable, and economically vibrant future for communities nationwide.
“This grant project is a terrific example of federal, state and local partnerships that benefit the people of North Carolina as we work to build resilience to storms and capacity for future clean energy growth,” said North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser.