Roanoke, Va., December 5, 2007 – Appalachian Power today submitted an application to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) seeking approval to construct an $8 million, 138 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line and substation to serve customers in southern Botetourt, eastern Roanoke counties and western Bedford counties. Growing electric demands in this area are expected to tax the existing facilities to their capacity by summer 2008. The proposed project meets the need and improves electric reliability in the area.
Appalachian announced the Lake Forest Project in August and sought public input on more than 38 different preliminary line segments and six preliminary alternate substation sites. Appalachian combined public input with data collected from local, state and federal agencies to help identify its preferred 3.3-mile route.
“We’re thankful for such an involved public participation process,” said David Wright, project manager. “Ultimately, we’ve identified a sound route that takes into consideration many issues that the public expressed concern about. For example, we propose a route that runs below the crest of Coyner Mountain, a strong visual landmark for the community. In addition, the public helped identify a piece of property for a substation site. It was for sale, and it puts the substation in a heavily wooded area that will help shield it from view.”
Appalachian’s proposal includes construction of approximately 35 100-foot poles built on a 100-foot wide right of way. The company’s application seeks permission to locate the 100-foot right of way within a 500-foot wide corridor. There are no homes within the 500-foot corridor. The company will work with property owners to help locate the right of way within the corridor.
Another benefit of the Lake Forest Project is that it allows the company to remove approximately 2.5 miles of an existing 34.5 kV power line, including a section that crosses Rainbow Forest Lake, west of Laymantown Road. The company expects to remove the facilities and relinquish the easements.
If the SCC approves the proposal, Appalachian expects to begin engineering, surveying and right-of-way acquisition in 2008. Construction could start in January 2009, with an in-service date of June 2009.
Additional information about the Lake Forest Project, including maps, photos, visual simulations, fact sheets and the company’s SCC filing, is available at www.appalachianpower.com.
Appalachian Power provides electricity to 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.
Todd Burns
Corporate Communications Manager – VA/TN
(540) 985-2912
tfburns@AEP.com