Athens AreaImprovements Project


AEP Ohio representatives plan to upgrade the electric transmission network serving customers in Athens County.

The Athens Area Improvements Project involves:

  • Building approximately 2-5* miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) power line.
  • Upgrading approximately 4-6* miles of 69-kV power line to 138-kV power line.
  • Retiring approximately 15 miles of transmission facilities.
  • Upgrading Lee Substation located off Virginia Street in Albany and Elliott Substation located off Blackburn Road in Athens.

*Mileage depends on proposed final line route determination.

Installing an additional power line in the area enhances area reliability so that if one line experiences an outage, the other line can continue to serve customers. This operational flexibility reduces the number and duration of outages to area customers. 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.

Company representatives plan to evaluate study segments to build a power line and rebuild existing power lines. Study segments are multiple alternatives presented to determine a line route. Company representatives do not build all study segments, rather, they select one route to build based on public feedback and feasibility.

This project requires Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) approval.

Project Updates

Early 2025: The project team is currently evaluating the feedback received from the November 14th open house.

Company officials plan to host a second open house in the first half of 2025.

Project Releases

Timeline

Open project timeline modal

Structures

Open project structure modal

The project involves the use of single steel poles.

Pole Height Range: 80-100 feet
Right-of-Way Width: 100 feet

*Exact structure types, height and right-of-way requirements may vary

Resources

Property Easements Virtual Open House Project Fact Sheet Project Map Access Roads Field Activities

AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers.

www.AEPOhio.com

AEP Ohio Outreach

614-933-2998
AEPOhio_Outreach@aep.com

Submit a Message

*Required field. By clicking submit, you agree to AEP's Privacy Policy.

Please complete the ReCAPTCHA to submit the form. If you have difficulty, use the audio challenge option.

Paper plane

Your message has been sent! We'll be in touch shortly.

Opens in a new window
BESbswy