FORT WAYNE, Ind., Feb. 18, 2022 – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) representatives plan to invest approximately $56 million to enhance the electric transmission network across southwest Michigan. Company officials plan to build two power lines in St. Joseph and Cass counties and upgrade two substations to support the region’s electrical need and enhance electric reliability.
The White Pigeon Transmission Line Improvements Project involves building approximately 9 miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) power line in St. Joseph County and upgrading the Stubey Road Substation located off West Chicago Road near Sturgis.
We are committed to keeping you informed about this project while also keeping our customers and employees safe and healthy during COVID-19. Community members and landowners in the project area are invited to learn more by attending a virtual open house and provide feedback about potential line routes. Customers can visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/WhitePigeon to learn more about the project, view an interactive map and submit comments through a “Contact Us” link.
In addition to the virtual open house, project team members are hosting two live presentations followed by Q&A sessions on the following dates:
- Monday, Feb. 28 from noon to 1 p.m.
- Monday, Feb. 28 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The South Cass County Transmission Line Project involves building 3 miles of 138-kV power line between an existing transmission line and Surges Road Substation in Milton Township and expanding the Surges Road Substation near its current location.
Community members and landowners in the project area are invited to learn more about this project by attending a virtual open house and provide feedback about potential line routes. Customers can visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/SouthCassCounty to learn more about the project, view an interactive map and submit comments through a “Contact Us” link.
In addition to the virtual open house, project team members are hosting two live presentations followed by Q&A sessions on the following dates:
- Tuesday, March 1 from noon to 1 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 1 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“These electrical upgrades improve service for I&M customers in the region and support the recent community growth and economic development,” said Mona Livingston, I&M community affairs manager. “The enhancement projects will boost reliability, reduce the likelihood of power outages and speed recovery time if outages occur.”
I&M representatives urge landowners and community members to submit their feedback on these projects by Wednesday, March 9. Project plans call for construction on these projects to begin fall 2023 and conclude by late 2025.
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ABOUT INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER: Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,100 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2020 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states, nearly 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states, and 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.
ABOUT AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2050. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.