FORT WAYNE, Ind., February 8, 2024 – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) will trim trees near high voltage transmission lines next week in southwest Michigan using an aerial saw. The work is part of I&M’s commitment to providing safe and reliable energy while balancing the importance of trees in our environment.
The work is routine maintenance to remove overhanging or encroaching branches that can interfere with reliable energy delivery. I&M is contracting with Kiewit Corp. to perform the work using a helicopter-based saw. The saw is suspended beneath a helicopter by a vertical boom with multiple blades attached. Aerial trimming is faster and can more easily reach off-road areas than traditional trimming.
The aerial trimming is scheduled to occur Tuesday, Feb. 13, through Friday, Feb. 16, weather permitting. The helicopter will fly westward near transmission lines from Hartford to near Lake Michigan in the townships of Hartford, Coloma and Benton. Flights will typically occur from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2023 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 and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.
At American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, we understand that our customers and communities depend on safe, reliable and affordable power. Our nearly 17,000 employees operate and maintain more than 40,000 miles of transmission lines, the nation's largest electric transmission system, and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver power to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with nearly 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including approximately 6,100 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP is investing $43 billion over the next five years to make the electric grid cleaner and more reliable. We are on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and have a goal to achieve net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement 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
Media Contact:
Tracy Warner
Communications Manager
260-479-9484
tkwarner@aep.com