ROANOKE, Va., August 30, 2007 – Appalachian Power has extended the length of time necessary for a lowered water level in the Buck Hydroelectric Project reservoir.
 
Because of required repairs on the dam and spillway, the company lowered the normal water level in the reservoir beginning August 1, 2007.  Repair work was scheduled to be completed by August 31.
 
However, a delay in shipment of an essential piece of equipment has forced the company to extend the reservoir “drawdown” until September 7. At that time, Appalachian Power expects to be able to allow the reservoir to begin to refill.
 
“This delay was unforeseen and will postpone refilling the lake only a short time,” said Teresa Rogers, the company’s supervisor of environmental and regulatory affairs for hydro operations. “We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause area residents and offer our thanks for their patience.”
 
As with any major outdoor project the revised schedule may be affected by unexpected weather conditions or other circumstances. Update information regarding the drawdown and other hydroelectric projects may be found at this Website: http://www.aep.com/environmental/recreation/hydro/Default.asp .
 
Appalachian Power provides electricity to 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.