AEP Ohio representatives plan an open house to discuss upgrading the transmission system serving customers in Athens County.
The Athens Area Improvements Project involves several potential options to enhance the area’s electric reliability. Project solutions include options such as building a new 4-6 mile 138-kilovolt (kV) power line, rebuilding 5-8 miles of 138-kV power line and retiring 6-12 miles of existing transmission lines in the area. Project plans also include upgrading the Lee Substation in Albany and the Elliott Substation in Athens.
Company officials invite community members and landowners to learn more about the proposed project at an upcoming open house. The public event takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, at the Christ Community Wesleyan Church Worship Center located at 6275 Kenney Memorial Lane in Albany. The event does not include a formal presentation, so attendees can arrive at any time to view detailed maps and talk with team members about the proposed route options.
The length of the power line improvements is dependent on the final line route determination. Company officials plan to use public input and additional fieldwork to determine a power line route that minimizes impact on the community and environment.
These improvements enhance operational flexibility and reduce the number and duration of customer outages. Without these enhancements, the area's power demand could exceed the line's operational capacity and cause larger, sustained community power outages. Upgrading and retiring deteriorating equipment reduces the need for frequent power line maintenance. Installing the additional power line also provides another power source to the area to continue providing service to customers in the event another transmission line experiences an extended outage.
AEP Ohio representatives encourage the community to attend the open house and provide feedback. Community members who are not able to attend the open house can visit the VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE at AEPOhio.com/Athens to access project information, view an interactive map, and submit comments by May 19.
The project requires Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) approval. Company representatives plan to file the project with OPSB next summer following an additional open house.