North Carolina is undergoing an extensive methane gas build-out across the region. Davidson County is one of many counties feeling the pressure of growing proposals for new methane gas infrastructure. 

Davidson County is at a pivotal moment, facing the rapid expansion of methane gas infrastructure that could reshape the region for decades to come. From the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project, a high-pressure methane gas pipeline set to run beside residential neighborhoods, schools, sensitive waterways, and churches, to the potential plans for large gas-fired power plants in the heart of rural land along the Yadkin River. But what’s happening, and what’s really at risk?

Duke Energy is considering Davidson and/or Davie County for a 1,360-megawatt methane gas-fired power plant, also known as combined cycle gas plant 4 (CC4). Methane gas-fired power plants burn fracked natural gas (commonly referred to as methane gas) to generate electricity, adding tons of toxic air emissions into the atmosphere each year.

This project is part of Duke Energy’s long range planning process, referred to as the Carbon Plan. In this plan, CC4 is predetermined to be co-located with combined cycle gas plant 5 (CC5), with discussions of a Liquefied Natural Gas (ELNG) facility being close by. What this means is if CC4 comes to area, it is logical to assume that CC5 and the ELNG facility will follow. 

• The North Carolina Utilities Commission must first approve Duke’s Carbon Plan for this project to move forward.

The fine particulate matter (PM2.5) monitor on the Lexington Water Tower, about 8 miles from the Giles Road site, had a 2022-2024 design value of 8.8 micrograms per cubic meter, just shy of the primary annual PM2.5 Nation Ambient Air Quality Standard of 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter. 

Facing increased PM2.5 emissions from the expansion of Transco Compressor Station 155, as part of the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (a high-pressure methane gas pipeline), and predicted emissions from the Duke Energy gas fired power plants and ELNG facility, Davidson County will almost certainly fall into violation for PM2.5 pollution. But what does this mean?

• The burden on residents and school students health will significantly increase around the nearby site and throughout the county 
• Stunt county economic development, preventing how industry can operate in the county moving forward

Various studies show that PM2.5  is a major risk factor for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, contributing to premature death and morbidity. In a county that already faces high levels of PM2.5 emissions, new energy infrastructure that will drastically increase these emissions should NOT be allowed.

If the air pollution from these new gas plants pushes the area over air quality limits, it could prevent new industries that could bring more jobs than the gas plants from coming. 

On average, depending on the size, one gas-fired power plant would likely only employ between 30-60 people, and something like a factory could bring 50-500 jobs.

County leaders should consider how much tax revenue and how many local jobs, such as those in advanced manufacturing, would be lost if hosting the Duke Energy gas plants throws the county into non-attainment for air quality.

Recent state law, Senate Bill 266, allows Duke Energy to charge customers for gas plants before they’ve even been built. Ratepayer bills would increase to pay for this infrastructure and the fuel to run them, while Duke Energy would see a guaranteed profit. A dependence on methane gas infrastructure further exposes ratepayers to the unpredictability of fossil fuels and hinders North Carolina’s ability to transition to more affordable and stable renewable energies. 

• Rising methane gas prices accounted for more than 67% of residential rate increases in parts of Duke Energy’s NC service area  
• This would also impact customers of electric cooperatives, like Energy United

Utilities are overestimating electricity demands to account for data centers and other large projects that might not materialize. The inflated energy demand estimate in NC is part of a national trend of rapidly escalating energy demand, largely attributed to the growth of data centers.

Methane gas power plants can require large amounts of water for cooling systems. This water is often pulled from local water resources, which can put a strain on local water supply, disrupting the cycle of clean drinking water in the county. 

If Duke Energy uses air-cooled technology, as the utility is proposing for the 3rd gas plant in this system (located in South Carolina), then one of these gas plants alone could require 600,000 gallons per day of water withdrawal from the Yadkin River for cooling. 400,000 gallons might be discharged, with a net loss of 200,000 gallons per day from the Yadkin River basin. If Duke uses traditional wet-cooling technology, the amount of water required could be ten times more.

• It is important to note that the discharged water will be different from the raw water that is pulled from the Yadkin. This discharge will be warmer and less biologically diverse.
• Known as “thermal pollution” when warmer water is discharged, water temperatures increase and dissolved oxygen levels are depleted, resulting in harm to the waterbody and aquatic ecosystem. Thermal pollution makes a more hospitable environment for harmful algal blooms. 
• The discharge may contain other contaminants like heavy metals, chlorine, and antifoulant chemicals (used to prevent corrosion and mineral deposits on the machinery).
• The nitrogen oxides emitted into the atmosphere could result in nitrogen deposition in nearby waterways. Nutrients like nitrogen contribute to the proliferation of harmful algal blooms. 

Our state is experiencing a significant loss of agricultural land and an increase in development. Agricultural land and forests can allow for filtration of runoff and infiltration of rain into the soil and groundwater supply. These power plants would result in the destruction of farmland and forest and create an increase of impervious surfaces. Development could result in the sedimentation of the Yadkin River and increase contaminant-containing stormwater runoff.

The Yadkin River already faces many threats to water quality upstream and downstream of this proposed site:

• Stormwater runoff from the populated city of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County carries water containing fecal bacteria, sediment, and nutrients from development sites and impervious surfaces to the Yadkin River, a major drinking water source.
• Agricultural runoff in the Upper Yadkin River watershed also transports nutrients, sediment, bacteria, and heavy metals downstream making the Yadkin River vulnerable to further contamination.
• Although Davidson County’s intake is just upstream of the proposed site, Rowan County’s intake is located downstream at the confluence of the Yadkin River and South Yadkin River.

The Yadkin River in this part of Davidson County still feels mostly wild with forested buffers and farmland. This stretch of the river is part of the Yadkin River State Trail (163-mile paddle trail) and the Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail, which is a 22-mile paddle trail with 10 significant historical markers along the river including Boone’s Cave and fish weirs created by indigenous peoples.

Both of these regional trails provide important recreational and economic value to the communities, fishermen, and paddlers along it. A power plant will disrupt the historical and environmental importance of the Yadkin River through Davidson County.

Spreading awareness about these proposed gas plants is a crucial step towards building strong local opposition to fight them.

• Connect with your neighbors, talk to your friends and family, explain why you’re concerned and what can be done to protect your community
• Pass out flyers at community events
  • Access a printable flyer here
• Share information on social media, spread news articles and recent updates

Getting elected officials on board to oppose the gas plants will increase our chances of defeating these projects and protecting the community from there dangerous impacts.

You have the chance to share all your concerns with the commissioners. Increased air and water pollution, public health concerns, property value impacts, higher electric bills, fewer jobs- you can share it all with them. Make sure they hear your voice, as it is essential in protecting the community!

Davidson County Board of Commissioners Meetings

• 2nd and 4th Monday of the month- 6pm
• Davidson County Governmental Center- 913 Greensboro Street, 4th Floor, Lexington NC

Davie County Board of Commissioner Meetings

• 1st Monday of every month- 6pm
• Davie County Administration Building- 123 South Main Street, Mocksville NC 27028

In December 2025, Davidson County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the NC Department of Environmental Quality to deny approval of Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (high pressure methane gas pipeline) until they:

• Fully consider Davidson County residents’ concerns
• Thoroughly evaluate all potential risks and alternatives in a comprehensive Environmental Assessment
• Require Transco to submit notification plans in the case of an incident.

They spoke out against one massive methane gas energy project- Let’s ensure that they speak out against the gas plants as well! Use your voice and tell them to protect community wellbeing over unnecessary and dangerous fossil fuel projects.