Duke Energy has dropped plans for an electrical substation near Kituwah, the ancestral Cherokee birthplace in North Carolina.

The company had started work on the $79 million project when the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians objected. The substation was less than a half-mile from Kituwah.

"The land of Kituwah, our mother town, is central to our identity as a tribal nation and I will do everything in my power to ensure this sacred site is protected,” Eastern Cherokee Chief Michell Hicks said in a statement, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported.

Duke said it will choose one of two sites for development.

Get the Story:
Duke moves station away from Kituwah site (The Asheville Citizen-Times 8/3)
Duke won't build near sacred site (The Charlotte Observer 8/3)
Duke won't build on holy site (The Charlotte News & Observer 8/3)
New Duke Energy station site satisfies Cherokees (The Charlotte Business Journal 8/2)

Related Stories:
Column: Cherokees haven't forgotten pull of Kituwah birthplace (7/12)
Duke Energy in talks to stop development near Cherokee site (6/9)
Duke Energy wants to restart work by Cherokee birthplace (5/12)
Petition forces decision on project by Cherokee sacred site (4/6)
Petition takes aim at development by Cherokee birthplace (4/1)
County delays development near Cherokee sacred site (03/16)
Cherokee tribes discuss sacred site with company (2/19)
Editorial: Don't put electrical station near sacred site (2/16)
Eastern Cherokees oppose building near site (2/11)