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West WatertownTransmission Improvements Project


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

The West Watertown Transmission Improvements project involves:

  • Building about 4 miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) power line
  • Building about 6 miles of 69-kV power line
  • Retiring about 9 miles of existing transmission facilities
  • Building West Watertown Substation near Reed Road and OH-676

The project enhances electric service reliability to customers. The area currently receives power from a single source and improvements provide an additional source of electricity. Creating a looped service means if one of the power lines servicing the area experiences an outage, the other power line can continue to serve customers. This reduces power outages and speeds recovery of service when outages occur. The additional source also allows for the retirement of about 9 miles of deteriorating transmission facilities that date back to 1965. A stronger transmission grid benefits the local distribution companies and cooperatives, such as Washington Electric, who receive power from the transmission lines.

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

Project Updates

Spring 2024: AEP representatives determined that filing a Letter of Notification (LON) with OPSB is more appropriate than the originally planned standard application. The LON applications require identifying only one route rather than the two route alternatives required under a standard application. The company anticipates submitting the applications to the OPSB in the near future.

Fall 2023: AEP Ohio representatives will hold an Open House from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18 at the Waterford Elementary School Cafeteria located at 19701 State Rt. 339 in Waterford. We invite the public to learn more about the project and share their input on the route alternatives.

Summer 2023: AEP Ohio representatives identified a final proposed line route for the 69-kV power line after reviewing input from landowners and community members. Landowners along the final proposed line route can expect to hear from Steve Ury at Property ROW LLC, the right-of-way agent representing AEP Ohio. The utility needs to acquire easements for a right-of-way corridor to ensure the safe construction, operation and maintenance of the power line.

The route for the 138-kV line remains under consideration.

Summer 2022: AEP Ohio representatives announced the West Watertown Transmission Improvements Project and hosted an open house to gather input on where to locate the new power lines.

Timeline

Project Timeline

Structures

Structure

The project involves the use of single steel poles and H-frame poles.

Pole Height Range: Approximately 60-90 feet
Right-of-Way Width: Approximately 100 feet

*Exact structure, height, and right-of-way requirements may vary depending on location, terrain and voltage.

Resources

Property Easements Project Fact Sheet Project Map Access Roads Field Activities

AEP Ohio provides electricity to nearly 1.5 million customers.

www.AEPOhio.com

Kia Clay

Project Outreach Specialist
614-933-2998
kclay1@aep.com

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