FERC to decide Mooresville, Duke water battle


CSA Z462 Arc Flash Training – Electrical Safety Compliance Course

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today
A federal agency will try to resolve Duke Energy's dispute with Mooresville over the town's water intake on Lake Norman.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will have to step in because the town and Duke failed to settle their differences in mediation with U.S. District Court Judge Frank Bullock.

John Whittaker, a lawyer for Duke Energy, provided the update in a July 10 letter to Kimberly Bose, secretary of the commission in Washington. Duke sued Mooresville to stop construction on its existing water intake. The company says the town needs permission from Duke and from the commission to do the work because Duke manages Lake Norman through its hydroelectric license.

Town officials have said the water belongs to citizens, not a for-profit company, and that it has the right to change a water intake on town-owned property.

The intake pumps water out of the lake for drinking water and other uses Mooresville and Duke were originally working toward a new town water intake at another spot, for which Duke sought permission from the commission. The town then decided to upgrade its existing intake, saying permission from Duke or the commission wasn't needed because the town was using its own land.

U.S. Chief District Judge Graham Mullen had asked the federal agency to "participate" in the case if mediation failed, Whittaker's letter said. Mullen will order the agency to get involved if it doesn't do so voluntarily, the letter said.

FERC spokeswoman Barbara Connors said the agency received Whittaker's letter, but that it would await notice from Mullen before proceeding.

Related News

Can California Manage its Solar Boom?

California Duck Curve highlights midday solar oversupply and steep evening peak demand, stressing grid stability.…
View more

Indian government takes steps to get nuclear back on track

India Nuclear Generation Shortfall highlights missed five-year plan targets due to uranium fuel scarcity, commissioning…
View more

"It's freakishly cold": Deep freeze slams American energy sector

Texas Deep Freeze Energy Crisis strains grids as polar vortex triggers rolling blackouts, record natural…
View more

Inside Copenhagen’s race to be the first carbon-neutral city

Hedonistic Sustainability turns Copenhagen's ARC waste-to-energy plant into a public playground, blending ski slope, climbing…
View more

Rolls-Royce expecting UK approval for mini nuclear reactor by mid-2024

Rolls-Royce SMR UK Approval underscores nuclear innovation as regulators review a 470 MW factory-built modular…
View more

Trump declares end to 'war on coal,' but utilities aren't listening

US Utilities Shift From Coal as natural gas stays cheap, renewables like wind and solar…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified