N.C. DEQ to hold public hearings on Transco and Fuquay-Varina's Interbasin Transfer request
Fuquay-Varina's current water supply is projected to fall short of future demands by 2030
DOWN BALLOT STAFF REPORTS
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is accepting public comment and is holding two public hearings on draft air quality permit modifications for air compressor stations associated with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC’s (Transco) proposed natural gas pipeline project, known as the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project.
As part of the project, Transco is seeking to make upgrades at two existing compressor stations along its pipeline: Station 150, in Mooresville, Iredell County, and Station 155, in Lexington, Davidson County. These upgrades are associated with potential increases in air pollution.
Public comments on draft air quality permits for both projects will be accepted until Nov. 19. An in-person public hearing will be held on each draft permit, with the first public hearing on Nov. 13 to accept comments on Station 150.
Public Hearing on Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC - Station 150
Date and Time: Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Location: Lake Norman High School, 186 Doolie Road, Mooresville
Submit Email Comments: daq.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with “Transco150.25A” in the subject line.
Submit Voicemail Comments: Call 919-707-8714.
Station 150 currently operates as a major source holding a Title V air quality permit. The modification would allow the addition of a new natural gas-fired combustion turbine and emergency generator. The facility will remain a minor source of hazardous air pollution. The permit would require that Transco limit emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) to less than 250 tons per year.
The second public hearing on Nov. 18 will be to receive comments on Station 155’s draft air quality permit.
Public Hearing on Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC - Station 155
Date and Time: Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Location: Edward C. Smith Civic Center, 217 S. Main St., Lexington
Submit Email Comments: daq.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with “Transco155.25A” in the subject line.
Submit Voicemail Comments: Call 919-707-8726.
Station 155 currently holds a small air quality permit with emissions of NOx and CO of less than 100 tons per year. This modification would allow the addition of three new natural gas-fired combustion turbines and emergency generators. This will increase emissions to major-source levels, requiring a Title V air quality permit. The facility will remain a minor source of hazardous air pollution. The permit would require that Transco limit emissions of NOx and CO to less than 250 tons per year.
Both stations are subject to federal emissions standards. Air dispersion modeling reviewed by DAQ demonstrated that emissions of toxic air pollutants at both facilities are not expected to cause an exceedance of any acceptable ambient level.
DAQ will consider all public comments before making a final decision on the proposed permits. Comments on these projects can also be submitted until Nov. 19 via the voicemail numbers and email addresses above, or mailed to:
NCDEQ Division of Air Quality
1628 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1628
Copies of the respective public notice, draft permit, draft permit review, permit application and one-page project fact sheet for each facility are available online:
More information about Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement Project can be found on DEQ’s website.
Public hearings on Fuquay-Varina's Interbasin request to start in December 2025
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources will hold public hearings on Dec. 4, 9 and 11 to hear public comment on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Town of Fuquay-Varina's Interbasin Transfer Certificate request.
Public Hearing Details
When: 6 p.m., Dec. 4, 2025
Where: Fayetteville Technology Community College, Cumberland Hall Auditorium, 2220 Hull Road, Fayetteville, N.C., 28303
Register: Sign-in and speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Public Hearing Details
When: 6 p.m., Dec. 9, 2025
Where: Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, N.C., 27604
Register: Sign-in and speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Parking information: Public parking will be available after 5 p.m. at Parking Deck 64, which is located across North Salisbury Street from the Archdale Building. Please see the Interactive State Parking Map for additional parking options: Interactive Map.
Public Hearing Details
When: 6 p.m., Dec. 11, 2025
Where: Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 U.S. Hwy 64 West Business, Pittsboro, N.C. 27312
Register: Sign-in and speaker registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.
The Town of Fuquay-Varina, which is located in the Neuse River Basin, is seeking approval for an Interbasin Transfer Certificate in order to source water supply from another river basin, the Cape Fear River Basin, to meet projected future water demands.
Currently, the town relies on wholesale water purchased from neighboring water systems – the City of Raleigh, Harnett County and Johnston County. However, the town’s current water supply is projected to fall short of future demands, with a shortfall projected by 2030.
The town’s preferred alternative to resolve its projected shortfalls is to source water supply from the Tri-Rivers (i.e., City of Sanford) Water Treatment Plant in the Cape Fear River Basin. This alternative requires an Interbasin Transfer (IBT) Certificate. The town is seeking approval to transfer 6.17 million gallons per day from the Cape Fear River basin to the Neuse River Basin based on 2055 demand projections.
The draft EIS, which should include a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts that would occur in the source and receiving basins if the petition for a certificate is granted, is available online on DEQ’s website, and via the North Carolina Department of Administration Environmental Review Clearinghouse.
Access to the hydrologic model used to evaluate alternatives in the EIS is also available upon request through the DEQ’s website related to the Town of Fuquay-Varina’s IBT request. Training sessions on accessing the virtual model will be available on Dec. 2 and Dec. 16, but registration is required. Please email maya.holcomb@deq.nc.gov to enroll.
The public is invited to attend the public hearings to provide relevant written and verbal comments on the draft EIS document connected to the requested IBT certificate. Speaking time may be limited based on attendance.
In addition to accepting comments at the hearings, written comments may also be submitted by mail to Maya Holcomb, Division of Water Resources, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C., 27604, or by email to maya.holcomb@deq.nc.gov. Comments must be postmarked or emailed by Feb. 1, 2026.
The application, related materials, and the draft environmental impact statement are available online: Fuquay-Varina Interbasin Transfer request.
