Prestonsburg - ThelmaTransmission Line Rebuild Project

Kentucky Power officials plan to upgrade the electric transmission grid in Floyd and Johnson counties.

The project involves:

• Rebuilding approximately 14 miles of transmission line to 69-kV standards between Prestonsburg and Thelma substations
• Retiring approximately 2 miles of 46-kV transmission line between Kenwood Substation and Van Lear Switch Station
• Retiring Jenny Wiley Switch Station
• Retiring Van Lear Switch Station

The existing transmission line has experienced multiple power outages in recent years due to lightning and other causes. Currently, the customers served from the Kenwood Substation may experience longer restoration time when the transmission line experiences an outage.

AEP and PJM, the regional transmission organization that monitors the electric transmission grid in our region, have identified additional needs for the upgrades. The proposed upgrades will mitigate identified reliability criteria violations and strengthens the transmission system to increase electric reliability for the area customers.

The proposed upgrades:

• Allow crews to rebuild the line in a more suitable location. The existing line
has no road access and is in mountainous terrain. Walking is the only way to access many of the structures
• Allow crews to replace aging wooden structures with modern steel
structures
• Allow crews to add modern equipment that protects the line from lightning strikes

We are committed to keeping you informed about this project. Please review the information on this website and click on the virtual open house button at the right to learn more about the project. We also invite you to view our project maps and interactive map above. Please use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari internet browsers for the best user experience. You may submit comments and questions about the project through the Contact form at the bottom of the page.

September 2024: Kentucky Power officials announced this project and hosted an in-person open house in late 2022. The project team announced a proposed route in May 2023 before placing the project on hold. Following community feedback and additional reviews, the team developed an alternative route for a portion of the line rebuild. We are re-announcing the project and hosting a virtual open house to make sure we have the latest community input on the proposed route and the alternative route option. Please share your input on this project by Friday, October 4. We welcome and encourage your feedback.

May 2023: The project team has determined a proposed power line route after reviewing input that landowners and community members provided during an open house in December 2022. Company representatives plan to submit an application to the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) in early 2024. If the PSC accepts Kentucky Power’s application, property owners along the proposed route can expect to receive another mailing explaining how to participate in the project approval process.

December 2022: Kentucky Power representatives hosted an in-person open house on December 5, 2022 to provide an opportunity for residents to meet and talk with project representatives.

November 2022: Kentucky Power representatives announced the Prestonsburg-Thelma Transmission Line Rebuild Project. We will host an in-person open house in your area to provide an opportunity for residents to meet and talk with project representatives. Since there is no formal presentation, residents may join the planned event at any time.

Monday, December 5, 2022, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Building C Auditorium
513 3rd Street, Paintsville, KY 41240

Also, we invite you to review this website and enter our virtual open house to learn more and share your feedback. For the virtual open house, please use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari internet browsers for the best user experience. You may submit comments and questions about the project through the "Contact Us" link on this page. Please share your input by Wednesday, January 4.

News Release - November 21, 2022 (PDF)