The City of Kinston is set to apply for a state grant aimed at improving the resilience of its electric distribution system. The grant, provided by the State Department of Environmental Quality Energy Office, will fund projects converting overhead electric lines to underground lines, reducing the risk of power outages during severe weather.

“This is our first grant application for a project in the electric group related to our electric distribution system,” said Steve Miller, Public Services Director for Kinston. “These opportunities are not regularly out there, but with recent years and all of the different funds put out by the federal government, including ARPA funds and bilateral infrastructure rules, there are some opportunities now.”

The total funding available statewide is $18.4 million, with $5.7 million allocated for small systems, for which Kinston qualifies. Miller has been working with Booth and Associates and the city's electric staff over the past several months to prepare scopes and cost estimates for capital projects. The project identified for the grant involves converting overhead electric lines to underground lines in several neighborhoods, with the Greenmead subdivision being a key focus.

“When we have hurricanes, we get significant line damage because of trees coming down and taking the power lines down,” Miller explained. “Then those have to be restored before we get power back. There are several neighborhoods where this is a recurring issue, and converting lines to underground would greatly improve reliability.”

The Greenmead subdivision, located between Cunningham Road and Old Snow Hill Road, was chosen due to its qualifications related to low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods and its critical location in the city’s power distribution network. This area includes a substation that is essential for maintaining power reliability in Kinston.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $1,554,410. If the grant is awarded, Kinston would need to cover one-third of the cost, amounting to approximately $518,137, while the grant would provide $1,036,273. Despite the deadline for submitting applications being extended to July 29, the city is prepared to move forward with the resolution and application process.

“We're excited about this,” said Miller. “There’s not a lot of opportunities for grant funding for electric work, and we think this will have a big impact for Kinston to get this work done.”

City Council members discussed the coverage of the project and confirmed that while the grant would not cover all side streets, it would address the main feeders on Greenmead Drive and Candlewood, which serve the entire neighborhood and connect to Old Snow Hill Road.

The Council is expected to approve the resolution, allowing Miller and the city’s electric staff to complete and submit the full application by the deadline. This project represents a significant step toward improving Kinston's electric infrastructure and resilience against severe weather events.