An apology from Duke to Walhalla

The Walhalla mayor’s disappointment by what he heard during an August meeting about the chances for Walhalla to draw its future water supply from Lake Keowee has, to an extent at least, been ameliorated by a new communication from the electric utility. What Mayor Edwards heard August 1 led him to fire off a letter to a Duke official, and the mayor’s letter produced a response from a Duke vice president. In his letter to the mayor, Duke’s Steven Jester said, “Please allow me to take this opportunity to apologize for the lack of positive spirit you sensed during this most recent meeting. I have discussed the meeting with the Duke Energy representatives who participated in the discussion, and no one intended to do or say anything to suggest a lack of cooperation with the City.” At the same time, Jester told Edwards, that permitting a large water intake on any water body is a considerable undertaking and permitting an intake on a reservoir licensed by the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) adds some additional requirements for Duke Energy and the applicant.” The September 26 letter to Edwards concludes with the names and numbers of two Duke officials for the mayor to contact with any additional questions about the process.