Council approves sale of 230 kV transmission line to Duke Energy; Duke pledges to work with developer on relocation

The Ocala City Council approved the sale of a 230 kV transmission-line segment (Seminole Silver Springs North to Shaw) to Duke Energy Florida on Oct. 21, a move staff said will provide Ocala Electric Utility with a second 230 kV connection at the Shaw substation to support growth and transmission reliability.

Electric Utility Director Doug Peebles summarized the long-running transaction and noted the city previously approved a memorandum of understanding related to the transfer. “Duke’s new line will establish a second 230 kV connection for Ocala Electric Utility at the Shaw Substation, which is necessary to meet our near- and long-term growth and reliability needs,” Peebles said.

At public comment, David Tillman, representing West Oak (a nearby master-planned project), said the existing line crosses the developer’s property and that a relocation will be necessary for planned affordable-housing projects. Tillman asked Duke publicly to commit to working with the developer on moving the line at the developer’s cost, and he requested city assistance to relocate other city utilities that fall inside the same easement (for example reclaimed-water lines).

Galen Holloway, Duke Energy Florida government relations manager, told the council: “We have, shared, on numerous occasions, with Mr. Siemens and his team, our commitment to working with him, to relocate this line. And once this sale is complete, that commitment remains the same.”

City staff and the developer said Duke has indicated a willingness to cooperate and that the city will continue to coordinate with Duke and with the developer on relocating the line and any city-owned utilities in the easement. The council approved the sale by roll-call vote; no terms requiring Duke to relocate utilities were added to the sale as part of the council action.