CHARLESTON, W.Va., Jan. 12, 2018 – Appalachian Power and its affiliate, AEP West Virginia Transmission Co., have announced plans to improve electric power reliability to customers by upgrading its transmission system in four West Virginia counties.

The Meadow Bridge Transmission Line Upgrade in Fayette and Greenbrier counties, Carbondale Transmission Line Upgrade in Kanawha and Fayette counties and Pineville Area Power Improvements in Wyoming County will involve rebuilding more than 50 miles of transmission line and making upgrades to several substations throughout the counties.

The projects will replace aging infrastructure with modern technology. The improvements will also reduce the likelihood of extended outages to customers and decrease restoration times when outages do occur.

“We have a responsibility to provide our customers with reliable electric service they can depend on,” said Phil Moye, Appalachian Power spokesperson. “These transmission projects will allow us to continue to provide quality service at an affordable cost.” 

When rebuilding the transmission line, the existing rights-of-way will be expanded to 100 feet. In areas where reroutes are possible, the company is proposing study segments. If reroutes are determined to be necessary, new right-of-way will be acquired to accommodate the new transmission line. 

Appalachian Power will host four open houses to provide the community and affected landowners with project details and an opportunity to view preliminary study segments. Landowners who live in the project study areas will receive additional information about upcoming open houses prior to those events.

• Meadow Bridge Transmission Line Upgrade, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, Rainelle Public Library.
• Carbondale Transmission Line Upgrade, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, Baisi Athletic Center at the Montgomery YMCA.
• Carbondale Transmission Line Upgrade, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, Glen Ferris Inn.
• Pineville Area Power Improvements, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, Southern WV Community & Technical College, Saulsville.

Visitors may come at any time during the open houses to learn project details, examine maps of the proposed routes or speak with project team members.

“The open houses allow us an opportunity to talk directly with landowners regarding the projects and how they will affect them,” said George Porter, project outreach specialist. “We want them to understand that we are here to share information and listen to their questions and concerns as we work to build the routes that minimize impacts on the community and environment.”

Following the open houses, project team members will utilize information gathered to determine a final proposed route. Construction on all projects is expected to begin in 2018 and proceed in several phases over a two-year span.

Additional information about the projects including maps and updates can be found at www.aeptransmission.com/westvirginia.