Groups call on NC county to reject rezoning for Duke Energy project
On Monday, the Davidson County Planning Board will decide whether to rezone hundreds of acres along the Yadkin River for a new Duke Energy project. Opponents contend it will harm surrounding communities and the environment. A Duke Energy subsidiary wants to build its Davie-Davidson Energy Complex along the Yadkin River, which requires major infrastructure and rezoning approvals. Davie County officials certified two proposed methane power plants as public utilities, allowing Duke Energy to build on land zoned residential and agricultural. The decision was made without a public hearing or special use permit. Davidson County officials voted in favor of rezoning land for a liquid natural gas storage facility for heavy industrial use. A final vote is scheduled for Monday. Nicole Eastman, Yadkin Riverkeeper, argued the facility isn't a public utility and said such a project should only be built in areas zoned for heavy industrial use. "It really doesn't make sense for two massive power plants that would draw a lot of water from the Yadkin River, and also would be discharging back into the river and contributing to air pollution," Eastman stressed. If approved, it would be the largest liquefied natural gas storage facility in the corporation’s history. The
