FAYETTE COUNTY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – During Friday’s regular Fayette County Commission meeting, a team from American Electric Power (AEP) explained an upcoming transmission project. AEP approached council with a similar project in September of 2020.
AEP External Affairs Officer Ronn Robinson stated that this is a 15-mile project that that company is going to undertake in the fall of 2022. The project will replace some outdated power lines with which AEP has had issues.
Project Manager Shaun Lopez detailed the endeavor, which will start in the Kincaid area and move its way through Fayetteville. The project will also touch portions of Oak Hill, Scarbro and Ansted.
Lopez stated AEP will be removing 100-year-old power lines, as well as installing two new substations and updating existing stations in the county.
Lopez told commissioners that the changes will “greatly provide reliability in the area.” He said since 2014, the current lines have shown 1.4 million minutes of interruption due to their age. The lines are now showing signs of rust and damage.
Friday’s meeting was also attended by AEP project engineers who further detailed the project route and supplies.
Project Outreach Specialist Jessica Wright stated that AEP will soon be mailing project notification cards to landowners and will be setting up a virtual open house that will allow people to get additional information on nearly every facet of the project.
AEP will be working on different aspects of the project until groundbreaking takes place in 2022.
“We just want to let you know what is going on in the investment that we have to improve Fayette County,” Robinson said. “We like to say what’s planned, and what is coming up so that you are aware of our efforts to improve and enhance service.”
Fayette County Commissioners saw no issues with AEP’s plan and gave their full support.