SYEMC, DEQ, DEO kick off $5.9M grid modernization project funded by Power UP grant
In May of 2025, Surry-Yadkin EMC was awarded grant funding through the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) State Energy Office (SEO) for a $5.9 million Foothills Resiliency project. The grid modernization project will benefit member-owners by reducing power outages, harden the system against natural hazard related weather and increase economic development opportunities.
The Foothills Resiliency Project, includes projects in four of SYEMC’s service counties, with one transmission upgrade and three distribution upgrades. The project also deploys middle mile fiber to an underserved, rural community.
On July 7 of this year, state and federal officials joined SYEMC leadership to celebrate the kickoff of the project. DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson, SEO Director Julie Woosley, SYEMC Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Puckett, SYEMC Assistant General Manager Bryon Kennedy and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity Assistant Secretary Katie Jereza gathered at SYEMC’s Double Creek Substation to recognize the start of the project.
“I’m excited for the project to get started and to see the benefits of the increase of reliability to the people who will benefit,” said Travis Bode, SYEMC manager of economic development and project lead. “We want to continue to follow our Cooperative Principles and provide outstanding service, increased capacity for economic development and save our member-owners money.”
“The Foothills Resiliency Project will bring more energy capacity and resiliency to Surry-Yadkin EMC’s member-owners and provide opportunities for economic growth,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “The planned upgrades will save their member-owners money, ensure they have reliable power and provide many with much needed high-speed internet access.”
DEQ awarded SYEMC $4.5 million toward the project as part of the DOE’s Resilience of the Electric Grid Formula Grants for States and Tribes. The award reduces the financial burden for people in Stokes, Surry, Yadkin and Wilkes counties. SYEMC provided nearly $1.5 million in cost match.
The Foothills Resiliency Project will modernize the 80-year-old infrastructure, much of its original equipment from the 1940s, by completing a transmission upgrade and three distribution upgrades. Transmission lines move bulk electricity from plants to substations, while distribution lines move electricity from substations to homes and businesses. Surry-Yadkin EMC will update conductors, support structures, cabling and 180 poles to standard modern technology.
The projects include:
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A transmission upgrade of 3.3 miles in the area of Jim Hill and Cook School roads in Surry County, which includes replacement of the transmission power line and replacing wooden poles with galvanized steel poles. This upgrade will include installation of optical ground wire for grid communications and high-speed fiber optic communications capabilities.
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A distribution upgrade of 3.17 miles in the area of Asbury Road and N.C. 89 in Stokes County, which includes replacement of antiquated copper wire to aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) wire and replacement of existing poles.
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A distribution upgrade of 2.16 miles in the area of Long Farm and Country Club roads in Yadkin County, which includes replacement of antiquated copper wire to aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) wire and replacement of existing poles.
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A distribution upgrade of 4.66 miles in the area of North Lomax and Greenhorn roads in Wilkes County, which includes replacement of antiquated copper wire to aluminum conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) wire and replacement of existing poles.
The project’s upgrades will decrease weather-related outages by an estimated 35 percent and provide cost savings, workforce development and access to reliable energy. In addition, the project will significantly increase electricity delivery capabilities, which will help foster economic development.
“Our mission at Surry-Yadkin EMC is to provide safe, outstanding service that powers our rural communities,” said SYEMC’s Kennedy. “Leveraging grant funding to help upgrade areas that might not have seen upgrades for many years is one of the many ways we are benefitting our member-owners now, and for the future. This grant funding is improving affordability for our member-owners and will aid in future economic and community development in these areas.”
