ASHLAND, Ky., Nov. 21, 2022 – Kentucky Power officials plan upgrades to the electric transmission system in Floyd and Johnson counties and are hosting an in-person open house to share the proposed project with the community.
The Prestonsburg-Thelma Transmission Line Rebuild Project involves rebuilding approximately 14 miles of transmission line to 69-kilovolt (kV) standards, retiring approximately 2 miles of 46-kV transmission line and retiring two switch stations. This project allows crews to retire transmission line that has experienced multiple power outages in recent years and address criteria violations that were identified by AEP and PJM, the regional transmission organization that monitors the electric transmission system in our region. The proposed upgrades allow crews to rebuild the line in a more accessible location, replace aging wooden structures with modern steel structures and add modern equipment that protects the line from lightning strikes.
The project begins at the Prestonsburg Substation on Webb Lane in Prestonsburg and continues north to Thelma Substation in Thelma along Kentucky State Highway 1107.
Landowners and community members are invited to an in-person open house to speak with project team members, review route options for the 14-mile line rebuild and provide input. The event is scheduled for Monday, December 5, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Building C Auditorium, 513 3rd Street, in Paintsville.
For the safety of the community and the project team, those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or are feeling unwell are asked to please consider visiting the virtual open house at KentuckyPower.com/Thelma. Area landowners can expect to receive a packet in the mail that includes additional project details and a comment card they can return with their feedback.
Kentucky Power representatives plan to evaluate route options for the transmission line based on public input and feasibility. Landowner feedback is important as the project team works to minimize impacts to the community and provide continued reliable electric service. The project team requests all feedback by Wednesday, January 11.
This project requires company officials to file an application with the Kentucky Public Service Commission in March 2024. If the project receives approval, company representatives expect construction to begin August 2025 and conclude by the end of 2026.
Kentucky Power, with headquarters in Ashland, provides electric service to about 165,000 customers in all or part of 20 eastern Kentucky counties, including Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Rowan. Kentucky Power is an operating company in the American Electric Power system, one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system. AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.