Advancing the Future of Energy With Person County, NC

Replacing coal plants with natural gas would continue tradition of reliable power while supporting local workforce

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 11, 2024 / Duke Energy

Foto: Accesswire

By Gina DiPietro | illumination Staff Writer

When Derrick Smith was in elementary school, his uncle traveled to power plants across North Carolina to repair and maintain equipment that delivered power to millions of people as part of his job at Carolina Power & Light (now part of Duke Energy). Even as a child, Smith understood how important that job was.

It inspired him to become a chemistry technician at Duke Energy's Roxboro (Hyco) Plant in Semora, N.C., a little north of where Smith grew up in Person County.

"It means something to be able to power the homes and lives of people in this area and across the state," he said. "That gives me something to look forward to each and every day."

It's a sentiment shared by Jack Long Jr., a mechanic at Duke Energy's Mayo Plant, also in Person County.

"People rely on us to keep the lights on," Long said. "Plus, it's right here, 10 miles from my house. I don't want to travel far to come to work. And it's good paying jobs, you know."

In the future, their mission to provide reliable power will be the same - how it is done, though, will be different.

Roxboro has used coal to generate electricity since 1966; Mayo has been in operation since 1983. And like most U.S. coal plants, the facilities are reaching the end of their operational lives. They'll be replaced by a mix of cleaner energy sources - renewables, batteries, advanced nuclear and natural gas - as the company works toward net-zero carbon emissions.

To keep jobs and investment in an area that depends on it, Duke Energy has proposed two new hydrogen-capable natural gas units at the Roxboro site, which would become the Person County Energy Complex. These investments would support the state and region's growth while prioritizing the local workforce - employees like Smith who want to continue a family tradition of powering the community.

"We're blessed to have the jobs and opportunities that we've got, because we can live and grow our families here," Smith said. "To see that go away would really change the dynamic of this community."

As one of the county's largest employers, Duke Energy is responsible for 20% of its tax base, an economic impact of about $7 million annually.

"When you look at the numbers, it's very easy to see the magnitude of Duke Energy's impact," said Person County Commissioner Gordon Powell. "I certainly want to see Person County be a focal point of new technology and advances being made in power generation. We would love to have Person County be an energy hub for North Carolina."

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