Hobcaw Point’s electrical service is provided through overhead power lines which stretch along Mathis Ferry Rd., then down Muirhead until the main service lines which adorn Hobcaw Drive.
In the wake of multiple power outages in 2019, the residents began an initiative to secure the electrical power lines that service the neighborhood.
Discussion of overhead power line tree cutting was a topic of the July 1, 2019 Mt. Pleasant Planning & Development Committee meeting. The Town had issued a cease & desist order to Dominion Energy regarding the unsupervised clearing of tree limbs near powerlines. Many a resident spoke on the need for buried power lines, even offering an openness to explore possible funding means with which to accomplish the objective.
Sadly at that same meeting, our Town Administrator asserted that the burial of power lines in older residential neighborhoods would not be feasible nor pursued because none of the residents can agree on the location of the “green” transformer boxes. He continued by stating that time and money is wasted when these projects are explored. And with that said, the topic dies. Residents quickly became concerned and aggravated that crews would soon be in the neighborhood to hack up the many grand trees that adorn the community.
Dominion Energy South Carolina is required to provide its customers with “adequate, efficient, and reasonable service.” While the short term aesthetics may not be to anyone’s liking, the use of the ANSI 300 trimming standards provide the best opportunity for the electric system to remain reliable and at the same time allow for the health of the tree.
~ Dominion Energy
ANSI A300 standards are the generally accepted industry standards for tree care practices. This is a consensus of voluntary industry standards developed by TCIA and written by a committee called the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) A300, whose mission is to develop consensus performance standards based on current research and sound practice for writing specifications to manage trees, shrubs, and other woody plants. You are required to purchase the Standard for further investigation.
How much will be cut from my trees?
A minimum of 20 feet is trimmed above the primary distribution power line, while a minimum of 15 feet is trimmed to the side of distribution wires. Unmaintained and or tall growing vegetation will be removed from the right-of-way. These distances provide the necessary clearance to safely operate the lines and reduce the chance of rain, wind or ice pushing or breaking limbs into the lines.
Our maintenance trimming is done on cycles typically ranging from three to four years, so we trim to account for anticipated growth.
Assertions above were formally published by Dominion Energy
https://www.dominionenergy.com/safety/electric-safety/trees-trimming-and-powerlines
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC | https://www.ferc.gov/) assist consumers in obtaining economically efficient, safe, reliable, and secure energy services at a reasonable cost through appropriate regulatory and market means, and collaborative efforts. In doing so, they are the oversight body for all U.S. energy companies, including Dominion Energy.
FERC published tables outlining minimum vegetation clearance distances for varying voltage transmission lines titled FAC-003-4. Observation of transformers on poles near your home will assist. If the transformer is marked 345, that is its nominal system voltage (KV). Such is the case in Hobcaw Point where this was observed indicating a 4.3ft clearance is required.
Which drives the question, why is there such a gap on how much needs to be cut. Assuming a 12” annual growth rate for Live Oaks, accompanied by Dominion Energy’s four-year maintenance plan, my calculations are 8.3 feet vegetation clearance – not the 20’ over and 15’ side clearances stated by Dominion Energy.
Hobcaw homeowners paid over $1.5 million in 2021 property taxes!
Hobcaw residents paid in approximately $50 thousand in "franchise fees" on our electrical bill to the Town of Mt. Pleasant. The Franchise Fee Agreement with Dominion Energy expires in 2020.
The Town of Mt Pleasant received over $7 million in reimbursements from Dominion Energy for the franchise fees.
10% of the Franchise fee is to be allocated for burying power lines, an amount equally matched by Dominion Energy (totaling $1.4 million)
Aesthetic or Functional
You might want to find out what is important to our town and the officials.
Why did the Mathis Ferry power line burial project stop before it reached Muirhead Rd? And why did it not proceed down Muirhead benefiting the neighborhoods that feed into it?
I am a resident of Hobcaw Point and am over the age of 18 years old. By signing this petition, I am requesting the Town of Mount Pleasant AND Dominion Energy (formerly SCE&G) to bury the power lines servicing Hobcaw Point from Mathis Ferry Road and throughout the neighborhood. This year alone, the neighborhood has experienced multiple power outages that could have been avoided if the lines were underground. Additionally, the majestic trees in Hobcaw Point should not be cut and/or trimmed in an attempt to prevent outages. Between the Town of Mt. Pleasant and Dominion Energy, there should be enough resources available to burry these lines. The trees in Hobcaw Point are some of the grandest oaks in Mt. Pleasant and should be protected by the Town of Mt. Pleasant and Dominion Energy. Burying the lines would protect the trees and help provide for reliable power for the residents of Hobcaw Point.
Various Documents Used Throughout the Process
Hobcaw Point Residents would like their electrical service secured by burying the power lines all the way back to the service connection tap at the best “main” electrical feed.
Urge the Town to continue the Mathis Ferry Power Line Burial Project; expanding it to include Muirhead Road (which services parts of I'On, Molasses Creek, and Hobcaw Point subdivisions
Mayor & Town Council Members... approve funding (as part of the Franchise Fee Agreement) for the engineering to secure (bury) the power lines in Hobcaw Point neighborhood.
Liaisons from the Town of Mount Pleasant, Dominion Energy, and the Public Service Commission who will assist the Hobcaw Point Residents in their endeavor including possible funding grants that may be available.
And to every participant... help us break down the hidden agendas that may prevent our success.
The "ball" is in our Town Officials and Dominion Energy's court.
Finger-pointing by either is NOT an option.
Estimated Completed Project Date is December 31, 2024
Sections below document the progress milestones.
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At the HPRA 2023 Annual Meeting, Mr. Collar provided an update on the Secured Power Initiative. HPRA began this initiative with the feasibility study being approved by Town Council over one year ago, yet it has NOT moved forward. The Groves, who came into the process on the coattails of our initiative and were also approved for a study, are much further along in the process. Their (the Groves’) feasibility study has been completed, the estimated cost to bury the power lines - $2 million. One half of this cost is funded by Dominion Energy. Dominion Energy would “plug” the remaining $1 million Dominion Energy into a formula which will allow them to determine the “rate rider” which would be used to fund the project.
Sadly, Dominion Energy has halted movement on the HPRA study citing the absence of personnel needed to complete it. Mr. Collar has reached out to several officials voicing complaints about this matter. With the strategic resources located within Hobcaw Point, resources used by governmental official in the event of an emergency, our level of importance should be elevated.
May 10, 2022
Requesting approval of feasibility study for neighborhood underground power.
Discussion and subsequent approval
One of the largest milestones in the "Secure our Power" occurred at the Finance Committee meeting Monday morning around 10 o'clock. Funding approval of the feasibility study for underground power for Hobcaw Point and the Groves neighborhoods were unanimously approved by the committee.
In a show of support, over fifty (50) Hobcaw Point residents were in attendance at the Town of Mount Pleasant's Finance Committee Meeting on May 2, 2022. In Laurin Collar presentation to the committee, she asked that all Hobcaw Point residents who are in support and in attendance stand, almost the entire right side of the auditorium (Courtroom A) rose. Her parting comment to the committee was pleading that the "do not leave us in the dark" any longer.
Resident support and comments were so present that two notable events happened:
Committee members present: Chairman; Howard Chapman, along with Gary Santos, Brenda Corley, and Jake Rambo. Town's staff, Eric DeMoura and Marcy Cotov were also present.
We are thankful to Mr. DeMoura, the Town's administrator, for his factual representation of the issue that was before the committee. He stated that the objective had never been undertaken and was optimistic that this would forge a framework in addressing the other +/- thirty Mount Pleasant neighborhoods facing similar quest.
He also stated that execution of the study would now be in the hands of Dominion Energy, and would report back to the committee on timeline progress.
Linda made an awesome presentation to the Town’s Planning & Development Committee yesterday in support of the neighborhood’s secured power initiative. Three representatives from Dominion Energy were present to echo the future of power supply being secure, funding avenues, etc. Afterwards, the Dominion Energy representatives commended Linda on her efforts and were quite impressed with her knowledge of the subject and how very articulate she was in demonstrating our neighborhood’s interest
Danny Kassis with Dominion Energy spoke to the committee and applauded the neighborhood’s avenue, approach and specifically called out our willingness to think outside the box.
Has the initiative advanced, an answer unknown at the moment. In classic political style, the committee members do want to take it up and create some structure for neighborhoods; however, the committee did not set a timeline or approve anything specific. For the record, the Planning & Development Committee members are: Bob Brimmer, chairman; Guang Whitley; and Tom O’Rourke. Please reach out and voice your support and opinions.
The Town is obviously stressed financially and funding will be a pivotal factor any movement forward. It is our belief that our presentation addressed this matter on several levels providing for other funding options. Be that as it may, Eric DeMoura is taking the position that any NSSF (Non-Standard Service Fund) work should be for greater “public interest” projects and that securing the power for I’On, Molasses Creek, and Hobcaw Point do not rise to that level.
Mr. DeMoura's position tends to make us believe that we have encountered our first obstacle. Annually, the Town receives a reimbursement from Dominion Energy for the Franchise fee funded by its residents. This year (in 2019 for FY2018), the Town received approximately $7 million. Transparency on all NSSF expenditures is required if the Town’s position on the greater “public interest” is to be maintained in the face of our request.
The committee will be gathering information in order to perform some analysis on the matter. In the meantime, we will reach out to these committee members asking that provide some tentative response on their respective positions on this matter.
Linda Balzac, Rick Hennigar, and Fred Fabian met with Mayor Haynie this morning (Tuesday @ 10AM).
What a great meeting with our Mayor Haynie regarding the power lines!! More to come on our meeting after we have had some time to digest the magnitude of the elements covered. Obviously, there is much to address and he was very complimentary in our neighborhood’s commitment for moving this project forward. Prior to our meeting, Mayor Haynie had already placed in motion the wheels to get this topic on the Town’s agenda. His biggest concern was how the project would be funded and appreciated the strategic approach we were suggesting. Far too soon for any commitments on his behalf but it was obvious to us that he was open, and had a willingness to pursue the matter. Should any of you see Mayor Haynie over the next few days, please convey our thankfulness in engaging in the discussion.
Mayor Haynie has asked that the topic be placed on next week’s Planning & Development meeting - - Tuesday (10/1/2019) at 10:30AM.
Position - Open to Discussions
Position Unknown
Position: Supports and favors initiative.
Position Unknown
Position: Supports and favors initiative.
Position: Under Review
Position: Under Review
Position Unknown
Position Unknown
Town Administrator (Non-elected)
OPPOSES HOBCAW INITIATIVE
Favors an alternative non-disclosed location
Clerk of Town Council
Position: Under Review
Commissioner First District
SC Public Service Commission
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FUNDING APPROVED
ALERT * * * Tree Hackers Are Headed Our Way * * * ALERT *
DOMINION ENERGY NOTICE 03/03/2022
INFORMATION LINE: (800) 251-7234
Please tell us when?!
Details in Initiative Documents Section above