Insights and Eggs, Walters Hydro Electric Project - Duke Energy (Rescheduled from 2/4/26)

Description

New Date - June 3rd (Rescheduled from 2/4/26 due to weather)

Join the Haywood Chamber of Commerce for Insights & Eggs

Wednesday, June 3rd

7:45AM – 9:00 AM

Maggie Valley Club

Want to know where your power comes from???

Join us for an inside look at one of the most fascinating pieces of energy infrastructure in our region: the Walters Hydro Electric Project.

Perched high in the mountains and powered by the force of falling water, the Walters hydroelectric facility has been quietly generating clean, renewable electricity for nearly a century. Its engineering is impressive, its history is rich, and its role in supporting reliable power across the Carolinas is more important than ever. This session pulls back the curtain on how hydroelectric dams like Walters work, why they matter, and what it takes to keep them operating safely and sustainably.

Featured Speaker: Alan Stuart

To guide us through this story, we’re excited to welcome Alan, a seasoned expert in hydropower regulation, environmental stewardship, and FERC licensing.

Alan graduated from Francis Marion University in 1986 with a BS in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Political Science. Today, he serves as a Senior Project Manager at Duke Energy, where he leads Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing and compliance efforts for the NC/SC hydro fleet in the West Region. Before joining Duke Energy, Alan spent two decades as a Senior Regulatory Consultant with Kleinschmidt Associates, building deep expertise in hydropower and FERC regulatory strategy.

Beyond his professional work, Alan is active in both national and state environmental initiatives. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Wildlife Federation and, through a gubernatorial appointment, contributes to statewide water planning as a member of the South Carolina Drought Response Committee.

A lifelong South Carolinian and dedicated outdoorsman, Alan brings a passion for conservation to everything he does — making him the perfect guide for this deep dive into the Walters Hydro Electric Project.

Non-Profit Feature: Haywood Christian Ministries

Founded in 1970, Haywood Christian Ministry is one of Western North Carolina’s most impactful nonprofit organizations. Rooted in a faith‑based mission, HCM has grown from a small volunteer‑led phone ministry into a cornerstone of support for families across Haywood County.

The recent streamlining and opening of Haywood Commons marks a meaningful evolution in how Haywood Christian Ministry serves our region. This consolidated space will streamline services, expand capacity, and strengthen the sense of community that has defined HCM for more than 50 years. 

Haywood Commons—a newly combined space bringing together their Community Store, Community Resource Center, and Community Pantry under one roof on Branner Ave. 

Haywood Commons represents a powerful step forward in making essential services more accessible, more efficient, and more welcoming for the neighbors who rely on them. By uniting their thrift store, food distribution operations, and crisis support services, HCM is creating a centralized hub of hope, dignity, and practical assistance.

                                                               Thank you to our Sponsors!