CHARLESTON, W.Va., January 23, 2015 – Appalachian Power is beginning construction on the portion of its Kanawha Valley Area Transmission Reinforcement Project that passes through the Kanawha State Forest. Originally announced in summer 2013, the company received approval from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to construct the project in January 2014.

The 138 kilovolt (kV) lines being replaced within the Kanawha State Forest boundaries consist of 49 structures along 11 miles of right-of-way. Once the existing facilities are removed and construction is complete, the line will occupy only 5.5 miles of right-of-way on 21 structures. The new lattice steel towers, which will be constructed in previously acquired right-of-way, will be 20 feet taller than the existing structures and will be built of darkened steel.

“Our goal with this project is to ensure continued reliable transmission service to the Kanawha Valley with as little impact as possible, both during construction and with the new facilities we are putting in place,” said Project Manager Shawn Smith. “That is certainly the case with this portion of the project, where we've worked closely with representatives of the Kanawha State Forest throughout the planning process.”

Appalachian Power plans to complete all work in the Kanawha State Forest by summer 2017. Work in the Forest is expected to happen in phases. The first phase will involve the building of access roads and clearing of right-of-way. Appalachian Power does not plan to close any trails for significant amounts of time, but may have to temporarily stop visitors for safety.

Visitors to the Kanawha State Forest can view information on current and upcoming construction schedules by visiting www.AppalachianPower.com/KanawhaStateForest or by calling 1-800-227-5119.

Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, which delivers electricity to 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.

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