ROANOKE, Va., Feb. 10, 2014 – Appalachian Power today announced a planned $50 million upgrade to the electric transmission infrastructure that serves western Virginia. The project in Tazewell and Buchanan counties will ensure adequate and reliable local electric service and provide for economic growth.
Appalachian expects to complete the project in 2017. Before work can begin, the company will hold meetings, seek input from interested parties, and then file in April for project approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
The project includes: construction of one new substation in Buchanan County and associated improvements at three existing substations in Tazewell County; the addition of approximately eight miles of new 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Tazewell and Buchanan counties; and the rebuilding of approximately 12.3 miles of an existing 69 kV line to 138 kV, 8.6 miles of which is located in Tazewell County and the remainder in West Virginia. Existing wood H-frame tower structures will be replaced with steel H-frame structures that are taller and sturdier.
Appalachian has existing easements for the new lines and those that require rebuilding. Some easements, however, will require updating or supplementing. The proposed project is shown on the attached map.
Appalachian is holding two informational workshops for the project: Monday, Feb. 24 at Tazewell Middle School, and Tuesday, Feb. 25 at Richlands High School. The workshops will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Company officials will be available to answer questions about the project. Affected landowners in the vicinity of the project will be contacted and invited to the meetings through advertisements, letters and phone calls.
Customers can find additional information about the Tazewell-Buchanan Area 138 kV Transmission Improvements Project at www.AppalachianPower.com/Tazewell. The site includes maps and comment opportunities.
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John Shepelwich
Corporate Communications
jeshepelwich@aep.com