Hebron to Oakbrook Reliability Project

Transmission lines are a system of electrical wires that carry large amounts of energy over long distances. These wires can run from power plants to substations where energy is converted to lower distribution levels to serve homes, schools, hospitals and businesses in the community. If you’ve ever heard a reference to the energy grid, that’s the network of the transmission and distribution systems. The Hebron to Oakbrook project will help strengthen the energy grid by providing additional capacity to support growth now and in the years ahead in the community; allowing more flexibility for providing energy to communities in the region; and improving the company’s ability to reroute power during planned and unplanned outages, which can support faster restoration following outages from severe weather. View a short video to learn more about the electric transmission system.

The company first identifies potential corridors and seeks feedback from the community. A corridor is a study area that represents the potential path of a transmission line. The specific transmission routes will be much narrower and located in easement areas negotiated with property owners. These specific locations will later be determined following public input and further study. This additional study examines land use, connectivity to other power lines, engineering construction and complexity, and ecological and cultural resources, such as wetlands and historic sites.

We are in the preliminary stages of selecting the preferred route for the transmission line, where we’re seeking public input. We hope to finish construction by December 2024.

Duke Energy, like other national utilities, uses steel poles as its standard for new transmission projects. Steel poles are stronger and more resistant to severe weather conditions, helping to improve reliability for customers. In addition, they typically require less maintenance and inspection, helping to keep costs lower for customers. 

Yes. The project will undergo a process to file an application seeking a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Kentucky Public Service Commission. If the proposed easement area crosses your property or if you own property within the proposed transmission line corridor, you will receive a notice as part of this regulatory filing.

Once we select the preferred route for the new transmission lines, we will negotiate with landowners to obtain the required easements for the new transmission lines.

An easement is a legal agreement that gives Duke Energy the right to use, not own, specific portions of land for certain purposes. Easements get recorded on the property deed and remain in effect after properties are sold to a new owner.

Learn more about easements in this short video.

Easement area widths are expected to range from 70 feet if the transmission line is built along the road, to 100 feet on land that is not roadside. We will work directly with property owners who are affected by easement acquisition.

Trees and other woody vegetation growing near overhead electric lines create safety hazards for workers as well as the public when they are at risk of causing an electrical outage. Duke Energy will work directly with property owners if tree removal is needed on their property to safely install the transmission line. Additional obstructions – such as fencing, sheds or playground equipment that could potentially interfere with the power lines –  may also need to be removed, but not before direct conversations with affected property owners. Learn more about vegetation management.

Many factors are considered when building a new transmission line. Part of this phase involves gathering information about the work area to properly design the project. Get a look at some of these activities in this short video.

While scientific study continues, decades of scientific studies have examined low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) from power lines, household appliances, and other electrical devices. Unlike EMF from higher frequency sources, such as ultraviolet light and x-rays, low-frequency EMF from power lines have not been found to have a link to adverse health conditions. More information may be found on our website.