[Note to Editors: This news release contains county-specific information describing lines on which vegetation will be maintained by helicopter. You may select only the line descriptions that apply to counties you serve.]
CHARLESTON, W.Va., May 24, 2021 – Beginning on or about July 1, Appalachian Power will maintain the rights of way for some power lines in West Virginia by applying herbicides by helicopter.
“The company generally makes aerial maintenance applications only in less populated areas where terrain and accessibility make it difficult for ground-based crews to safely clear rights of way,” said Travis Klinebriel, utility forester. Rights of way in populated areas, as well as near parks, ponds and other sensitive areas are maintained by other means.
Customers with questions about the company’s aerial maintenance program can call a toll-free number, 1-800-642-3622, for information. Customers also can write for information at Appalachian Power, Attn: Transmission Forestry, 404 29th Street, West, Charleston, WV 25387.
“Herbicides used by AEP and Appalachian Power have been registered for use on rights of way by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDoA),” Klinebriel said. Herbicides to be used are glyphosate, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, fosamine, triclopyr, aminocyclopyrachlor and aminopyralid. Each has been extensively tested by the manufacturer, colleges and governmental and independent research laboratories.
Rigid EPA and WVDoA restrictions and regulations are carefully observed by Appalachian Power contractors in applying herbicides. All areas to be treated are visually checked by helicopter pilots in advance to verify the location of any sensitive areas and to ensure that people or domestic animals are not visible in the area to be maintained. All applications are made by contractors who are certified applicators. Questions concerning these herbicides may be addressed to the EPA and the WVDoA.
Right of way maintenance agreements between Appalachian Power and landowners are available to landowners who prefer to accept responsibility for clearing the right of way crossing their property in lieu of aerial application of herbicides.
The agreement compensates the landowner by an amount equivalent to the cost of aerial herbicide application, provided the work meets Appalachian’s specifications.
Residents who have questions about the program or who want to alert the company to the location of sensitive areas near power lines, such as springs, wells, streams, lakes, ponds, orchards, crop areas, gardens, pastures, meadows, year-round dwellings, public recreation areas and Christmas tree plantations, should also contact the company. To prevent any misunderstanding about the location of the sensitive areas being reported, the number of the nearest pole or tower should be provided. Numbers are posted on utility poles and on one leg of utility towers.
After the maintenance program begins, a 24-hour telephone service at the above number will provide information daily on locations scheduled for maintenance.
Complaints about possible damage resulting from herbicide applications should be made by contacting Appalachian Power at its toll-free number or the above address. Complaints also may be directed to the WVDoA, Pesticide Regulatory Programs Unit, which can be reached in Charleston at 304-558-2209.
Lines scheduled for maintenance in West Virginia include:
BOONE COUNTY
Becco-Skin Fork 46 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Becco Station off Buffalo Creek Road in Becco, running east and passing the midpoints of Amherstdale, Lundale and Three Forks and ending at the Skin Fork Station off Route 85.
Boone-Hopkins 46 kV – A transmission line on wood structures beginning at the Boone Station, running south and crossing Ridgeview Nellis Road, then running southeast and ending at Structure 24 near Easily Road.
CABELL COUNTY
Amos-Baker 765 kV – A transmission line, 58 miles long, on steel structures beginning at the Baker Station on Route 23 near Prichard, running northeast, passing the midpoints of Wayne, Culloden and Scott Depot and ending at the John Amos plant near Poca.
Culloden Loop 765 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at a structure point off the Amos-Baker 765 kV line near the Culloden Station on James River Turnpike near Culloden, running to the Culloden Station and continuing onward, ending at the Amos-Baker 765 kV line near Charleys Creek Road in Culloden.
Baker-Broadford 765 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Baker Station on Route 23 near Prichard, running south and passing the midpoint of Louisa, Kentucky and ending at the Big Sandy River.
Darrah-Tristate 138 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Darrah Station on Riverside Drive in Huntington, running west, passing the midpoint of Ceredo and ending at the Tri-State Station off Route 75 near Huntington Tri-State Airport.
Tristate-Belfonte 138 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Tri-State Station on Route 75 near Huntington, running west and passing the midpoint of the Huntington Tri-State Airport and ending at the Big Sandy River.
Leach-South Neal 69 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning near Route 52 south of Kenova, running north and ending at a switching structure located near Route 52 south of Kenova.
FAYETTE COUNTY
Kanawha River-Lurich 345 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Kanawha River Plant, running south and passing near Gallagher, crossing the Kanawha-Fayette county line near Ash Branch and ending at Structure 55 near Rattlesnake Run.
Cabin Creek-Hinton 138 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Kanawha River Plant, running south and southeast and passing near Gallagher. The line then continues southeast, crossing the Kanawha-Fayette county line and Elk Ridge Road and ending at Structure 34 just past Elk Ridge Road.
Elk Ridge Metering Tap 46 kV – A transmission tap line on wood towers off the Carbondale-Kincaid #1 circuit, running northwest for two miles and ending at Elk Ridge Station.
Brownsville Loop 69 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Brownsville Station and running northeast for one mile. The line then runs southeast and ends at Structure 50 near Route 16 in Brownsville.
Kincaid-TWR 117 69 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Kincaid Station, running east and crossing West Virginia Route 61. The line then turns southeast, paralleling and then crossing West Virginia Route 61 and ending at Structure 64 south of Wriston.
Kanawha River-Lurich 345 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Raleigh-Fayette county line between Blake Hollow and Hess Lively Road, running southeast and passing near Bradley and Beckley before crossing over I-64 and West Virginia Route 3. The line continues southeast, crossing the Raleigh-Summers County line and Bluestone River, passing near Pipestem and over West Virginia Route 20 and crossing the Summers-Mercer County line and ending at the West Virginia-Virginia state border.
GREENBRIER COUNTY
Hinton-Westvaco 138 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Hinton Station off County Route 13/1 hear Hinton, running northeast, passing Talcott and crossing the Summers-Monroe County line, continuing past Alderson and crossing the Monroe-Greenbrier county line. The line then continues running northeast, following the Greenbrier River and passing Ronceverte and White Sulphur Springs and ending at the West Virginia-Virginia state border.
JACKSON COUNTY
Leon-Ripley 138 kV – A transmission line on steel poles beginning at the Leon Station off Dunham Road, running east, passing the midpoint of Evans and ending at the Ripley Station off Klondyke Road in Ripley.
KANAWHA COUNTY
Bancroft-Nitro 69 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Bancroft Station located on Route 817, south of Winfield, running south, passing the midpoint of Poca and ending at the Nitro Station off Route 52 in Nitro.
Belle-Cabin Creek #1 and #2 46 kV – A transmission line on wood towers beginning at the Belle Station and running south. The line, then on steel towers, runs southeast and parallels the West Virginia Turnpike, then turns north and ends at the Cabin Creek Station in Cabin Creek.
Cabin Creek-Toms Fork 46 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Cabin Creek Station, running south and crossing Dry Branch Road, the West Virginia Turnpike, Cabin Creek Road and Coal Fork Road and ending near the Cabin Creek Road and Decota Road intersection.
Toms Fork-Pax Branch 46 kV – A transmission line on wood structures beginning at Toms Fork Station, running east and southeast and ending just past the West Virginia Turnpike near Burnwell.
Clendenin-Cabin Creek 46 kV – A transmission line on wood structures beginning at Clendenin, running south and crossing Vent Fork, Left Fork, Leatherwood Road and Eds Fork Road and ending south of Wolf Pen Run at Structure 82.
Kanawha River-Lurich 345 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Kanawha River Plant, running south and passing near Gallagher, crossing the Kanawha-Fayette county line near Ash Branch and ending at Structure 55 near Rattlesnake Run.
Cabin Creek-Hinton 138 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Kanawha River Plant running south and southeast and passing Gallagher. The line then continues running southeast, crossing the Kanawha-Fayette county line and Elk Ridge Road and ending at Structure 34 just past Elk Ridge Road.
Clendenin-Flatwood 138 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Clendenin Station off Reamer Road, running southwest, passing the midpoint at Elkview and ending at the Flatwoods Station off McNabb Drive in Pinch.
LOGAN COUNTY
Logan-Inez 138 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Logan Station, running west, crossing the midpoints of Dingess and Lenore and ending at the Lovely Station off Route 52 in Kermit.
Becco-Skin Fork 46 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Becco Station off Buffalo Creek Road in Becco, running east and passing the midpoints of Amherstdale, Lundale and Three Forks and ending at the Skin Fork Station off Route 85.
Mud Fork-Holden 12 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Holden, running southeast and crossing State Route 73. The line then turns west to the Mud Fork Bridge on US 119, then runs southeast crossing the hill and ending at Aldridge Branch.
Mud Fork-Holden 12 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Holden and running southwest along US Route 119. The line then splits. One line runs southwest and ends at Hidden Cove. The other line runs northeast and ends at the Logan Public Service District water tank including the Southeast Regional Jail.
Mud Fork-Fountain Place 12 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Mud Fork Station, running northwest over the hill and ending at Fountain Place.
Stone Branch-Harts 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Stone Branch Hollow, running southeast, passing Julia Avenue and ending at the Park and Ride in Chapmanville.
Stone Branch-Big Creek 12 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Stone Branch Hollow, running east over the hill and ending at Vickers Branch.
Stone Branch-Chapmanville 12 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at the Park and Ride in Chapmanville, running north over the mountain and ending at Kanawha Branch.
North Point-Pecks Mill 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Chapmanville and running southeast, passing Rhonda Drive and Fowler Branch and ending at Phico.
Logan-Main Street 12 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Locust Street, running northeast and ending at the WLOG FM radio tower at the top of the hill.
Logan-Aracoma 12 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Ward Rock, running east and ending at the communication towers.
MASON COUNTY
Leon-Ripley 138 kV – A transmission line on steel poles beginning at the Leon Station off Dunham Road, running east, passing the midpoint of Evans and ending at the Ripley Station off Klondyke Road in Ripley.
Sporn-Kanawha River 345 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Sporn Plant, running south and crossing West Creek west of Letart. The line then continues south, crossing Clay Lick Run Road, Chestnut Ridge Road, County Route 2, Little Mill Creek Road, Red Mud Road and County Route 87 and ends at Structure 72 east of Kapp Ridge Road.
McDOWELL COUNTY
Jim Branch-Wyoming 138 kV – A transmission line on wood poles and steel towers beginning at the Jim Branch Station near Coalwood, running north and passing near Welch, Hemphill, Capels, Fan Rock, Baileysville and Clear Fork and ending at the Wyoming Station on Reedy Creek near Lynco. This also includes a tap line on wood poles serving the Welch Station.
Wyoming-Baileysville-Jim Branch 138 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Wyoming Station, running southeast along West Virginia 197, crossing Guyandotte River and ending at the Baileysville Station.
Iaeger-Wharncliffe 138 kV – A transmission line on steel towers and wood poles beginning near Four Pole Road at the McDowell-Mingo county line, running southeast and crossing Tug Fork and Johnny Cake Road and ending off Water Street, County Route 102/35 and Tug Fork.
MERCER COUNTY
Kanawha River-Lurich 345 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Raleigh-Fayette county line between Blake Hollow and Hess Lively Road, running southeast and passing near Bradley and Beckley before crossing over I-64 and West Virginia Route 3. The line continues southeast, crossing the Raleigh-Summers County line and Bluestone River, passing near Pipestem and over West Virginia Route 20 and crossing the Summers-Mercer County line and ending at the West Virginia-Virginia state border.
MINGO COUNTY
Logan-Inez 138 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Logan Station, running west, crossing the midpoints of Dingess and Lenore and ending at the Lovely Station off Route 52 in Kermit.
Sprigg-Rawl Sales 12 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Sprigg Station, running northwest and ending at Rawl Sales Prep Plant.
Sprigg-Matewan 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Warm Hollow, running northeast and ending at the communications tower.
Sprigg-Matewan 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at the Matewan Station, running east, crossing the Tug River and ending at Surosa near Hatfield Bottom.
Dingess-Dingess 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at the Dingess tunnel, running southwest over the hill and ending at the Laurel Creek side of the tunnel.
Ragland-Delbarton 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Myrtle, running southeast over the hill and ending at Bias.
MONROE COUNTY
Hinton-Westvaco 138 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Hinton Station off County Route 13/1 hear Hinton, running northeast, passing Talcott and crossing the Summers-Monroe County line, continuing past Alderson and crossing the Monroe-Greenbrier county line. The line then continues running northeast, following the Greenbrier River and passing Ronceverte and White Sulphur Springs and ending at the West Virginia-Virginia state border.
PUTNAM COUNTY
Amos-Baker 765 kV – A transmission line, 58 miles long, on steel structures beginning at the Baker Station on Route 23 near Prichard, running northeast, passing the midpoints of Wayne, Culloden and Scott Depot and ending at the John Amos plant near Poca.
Culloden Loop 765 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at a structure point off the Amos-Baker 765 kV line near the Culloden Station on James River Turnpike near Culloden, running to the Culloden Station and continuing onward and ending at the Amos-Baker 765 kV line near Charleys Creek Road in Culloden.
Bancroft-Nitro 69 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Bancroft Station located on Route 817 south of Winfield, running south and passing the midpoint of Poca and ending at the Nitro Station off Route 52 in Nitro.
RALEIGH COUNTY
Bradley-Layland #1 69 kV – A transmission line on steel and wood poles beginning at the Bradley Station off Blue Circle Ranch Road, running east and passing the midpoint of Prince and ending at the Layland Station near the Layland Church and the Route 41 crossing.
Bradley-Layland #2B 138 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Bradley Station off Blue Circle Road Road, running northeast and crossing West Virginia Route 61, Garden Ground Mountain and the New River and ending at Molly’s Creek Station off Beury Mountain Road.
Bradley-Tams Mountain 46 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Bradley Station near Bradley and running southwest, passing near Prosperity, Eccles, Shockley and Glen White and ending at the Tams Mountain Station on Tams Mountain.
Bradley-Tams Mountain 138 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Bradley Station and running southwest to the Route 19 crossing near Prosperity, passing Crab Orchard and Eccles and ending at the Tams Mountain Station on Tams Mountain.
Dameron-Leewood-Sundial 69 kV – A transmission line on steel towers and wood poles beginning at the Dameron Station near Dameron and running northwest, passing near Workman Creek, Ameagle, Dorothy, Packville, Marfork, Pettus and Eunice and ending at the Sundial Station near Sundial.
Kanawha River-Lurich 345 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Raleigh-Fayette county line between Blake Hollow and Hess Lively Road, running southeast and passing near Bradley and Beckley before crossing over I-64 and West Virginia Route 3. The line continues southeast, crossing the Raleigh-Summers County line and Bluestone River, passing near Pipestem and over West Virginia Route 20 and crossing the Summers-Mercer County line and ending at the West Virginia-Virginia state border.
Cherry Creek-Clifftop 138 kV – A transmission line on steel poles beginning at the Clifftop Station off Scott Ridge Road, running south and crossing Airport Road and U.S. 19/WV 3 near Daniels, passing Shady Spring Mountain and ending at Cherry Creek Station near Marshall Circle.
SUMMERS COUNTY
Kanawha River-Lurich 345 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Raleigh-Fayette county line between Blake Hollow and Hess Lively Road, running southeast and passing near Bradley and Beckley before crossing over I-64 and West Virginia Route 3. The line continues southeast, crossing the Raleigh-Summers County line and Bluestone River, passing near Pipestem and over West Virginia Route 20 and crossing the Summers-Mercer County line and ending at the West Virginia-Virginia state border.
Hinton-Westvaco 138 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Hinton Station off County Route 13/1 hear Hinton, running northeast, passing Talcott and crossing the Summers-Monroe County line, continuing past Alderson and crossing the Monroe-Greenbrier county line. The line then continues running northeast, following the Greenbrier River and passing Ronceverte and White Sulphur Springs and ending at the West Virginia-Virginia state border.
WAYNE COUNTY
Amos-Baker 765 kV – A transmission line, 58 miles long, on steel structures beginning at the Baker Station on Route 23 near Prichard, running northeast, passing the midpoints of Wayne, Culloden and Scott Depot and ending at the John Amos plant near Poca.
Culloden Loop 765 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at a structure point off the Amos-Baker 765 kV line near the Culloden Station on James River Turnpike near Culloden, running to the Culloden Station and continuing onward and ending at the Amos-Baker 765 kV line near Charleys Creek Road in Culloden.
Baker-Broadford 765 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Baker Station on Route 23 near Prichard, running south and passing the midpoint of Louisa, Kentucky and ending at the Big Sandy River.
Darrah-Tristate 138 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Darrah Station on Riverside Drive in Huntington, running west, passing the midpoint of Ceredo and ending at the Tri-State Station off Route 75 near Huntington Tri-State Airport.
Tristate-Belfonte 138 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Tri-State Station on Route 75 near Huntington, running west and passing the midpoint of the Huntington Tri-State Airport and ending at the Big Sandy River.
Leach-South Neal 69 kV – A transmission line on wood poles beginning near Route 52 south of Kenova, running north and ending at a switching structure located near Route 52 south of Kenova.
Lovely 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Stonecoal, running northwest and ending at Jennies Creek.
Lovely 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Right Fork of Bull Creek, running northwest and ending at Cotton Hill.
Lovely 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning at Webb Road at the tunnel, running northwest and ending at the abandon tunnel.
Lovely 34.5 kV – A distribution line on wood poles beginning on the lower end of Webb Road, running northeast and then west and ending on US 52.
WYOMING COUNTY
Trail Fork-Trail Fork Switch 138 kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at a switching structure off Route 16 north of Welch, running north and ending at the Trail Fork Station off Route 75 near Huntington.
Jim Branch-Wyoming 138 kV – A transmission line on wood poles and steel towers beginning at the Jim Branch Station near Coalwood, running north and passing near Welch, Hemphill, Capels, Fan Rock, Baileysville and Clear Fork and ending at the Wyoming Station on Reedy Creek near Lynco. This also includes a tap line on wood poles serving the Welch Station.
Wyoming-Baileysville-Jim Branch 138 kV – A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Wyoming Station, running southeast along West Virginia 197, crossing Guyandotte River and ending at the Baileysville Station.
Bolt Extension 46 kV – A transmission line on wood and steel poles beginning at the Bolt Station near Trough Fork Road, running southeast and ending approximately 200 yards after crossing Glen Rogers Road.
Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is part of American Electric Power, which is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions. AEP’s approximately 16,800 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 223,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million customers in 11 states. AEP is also one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 5,500 megawatts of renewable energy.
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