Northeast Lima - Columbus GroveTransmission Improvements Project

AEP Ohio representatives plan to upgrade the electric transmission network serving customers in Putnam and Allen counties.

The project involves:

• Rebuilding about 11 miles of 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line
• Building about 1 mile of 69-kV transmission line

The planned improvements involve replacing deteriorating wooden poles from the 1950s with modern steel poles and reduce the need for frequent power line maintenance. Building a new power line provides an additional power source and improves electric reliability in the area. A stronger transmission grid benefits the local distribution companies and cooperatives, such as Midwest Electric Cooperative, who receive power from the transmission lines.

Fall 2024: AEP Ohio representatives plan to conduct field surveys to gather environmental and cultural data to aid in the designing and engineering of the transmission line. Some of the activities also involve using equipment to collect soil samples at select locations along the power line route. This helps determine the types of poles and power line to use during construction.

The surveys are scheduled to begin in November and continue through early 2025, depending on weather and other factors.

Early 2023: Company representatives announced the final line route for the 1 mile of new power line and evaluated study segments. Right-of-way representatives plan to meet with landowners to discuss their property.