Mitchell Lehigh New 138-kV Line

Duke Energy's energy system is essential to meeting customers' needs and our goal is to provide dependable power every day – now and in the future. We're also committed to the stability and economic growth of the communities we serve.

Project Need

The Lehigh Cement Company is growing its operations with plans to modernize and expand its Mitchell, Ind., plant. Lehigh's plant expansion requires Duke Energy to build new transmission infrastructure to meet its projected growth. This project is expected to create 50 new full-time plant jobs, more than 1,000 construction jobs over four years and tax revenue benefits to Lawrence County. As the rates of COVID-19 infection continued to rise, Lehigh company officials in late March 2020 announced a delay in the start of its $600 million Mitchell plant expansion by potentially up to one year due to uncertainties resulting from the pandemic. The Lawrence County cement plant broke ground for the expansion in October 2019.

Project Description

We're proposing two new 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines to be constructed near the cement plant, in addition to building a new substation along Mill Creek Road. The two new transmission lines – an eastern route and a western route – total about 7 miles long and are supported by light-duty galvanized steel poles, which are more reliable than wood utility poles.

Benefits to the Community

• Jobs and associated economic tax benefits to Mitchell and Lawrence County due to plant expansion.
• Lehigh's expansion is projected to create 50 new full-time plant jobs and over 1,000 construction jobs over four years, officials say.
• Western route transmission line to be built on plant property, minimizing impacts to neighboring property owners.
• Maintains a robust system for supplying and delivering electricity, which is integral to ensuring the continued economic growth and prosperity of the city and region.

Engagement

Community engagement and public participation are essential parts of our Transmission Siting process and allow us to receive input and to share information about this project.

Announcements

Open House Meeting Nov. 12, 2019

Meetings

An open house public meeting was held on Nov. 12, 2019, at the Spring Mill Inn Lakeview Room at Spring Mill State Park, 3333 State Road 60 East, Mitchell, Ind. A 30-day public comment period allowed affected stakeholders to provide vital input used during the evaluation and selection of the routes for the new transmission lines. The announcement of the preferred route is pending due to the postponement of the plant expansion.