BOYD COUNTY, Ky., Oct. 2, 2026 – Kentucky Power plans electric transmission improvements in Boyd County to provide service to the Muskie Data Center Campus at the EastPark Industrial Park and support continued economic development in the area. Company representatives are hosting an open house to share information about the proposed improvements, discuss potential transmission line routes and gather feedback from landowners and community members.
The Muskie Transmission Improvements Project involves building:
- The 765-kilovolt (kV) Venator Substation
- Two 765-kV transmission lines totaling approximately 2.5 miles to connect to the proposed substation to an existing line
- Two approximately 3-mile-long 345-kV transmission lines parallel to each other, totaling 6 miles
Kentucky Power representatives are evaluating potential transmission line routes within the project area in western Boyd County. Proposed line routes have not been selected and will be determined after community input is received and additional route analysis is completed.
The open house provides landowners and community members an opportunity to review proposed study segments, speak directly with transmission project team members, ask questions and provide information that may help determine route development.
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Boyd Convention and Arts Center
15605 KY-180, Catlettsburg, KY 41129
Attendees may arrive at any time during the event to review project information, ask questions and provide feedback to the transmission team. No formal presentation is scheduled. Area landowners will receive a packet in the mail containing additional project details and a comment card that can be returned with their feedback.
Landowner and community feedback will be considered along with engineering, environmental and other factors as the project team evaluates potential routes. Feedback is requested by Thursday, Oct. 29.
While the open house is not required as part of the Kentucky Public Service Commission application process, gathering input early allows the project team to consider local information, and potential property impacts as routes are evaluated. The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) requires Kentucky Power representatives to file an application before beginning construction. As part of its review, the PSC will provide opportunities for public comment and hearings. Kentucky Power officials plan to file an application for the substation portion of the project this October and the transmission line portion in early 2027 and anticipate a PSC decision in spring 2027.
If the project receives approval, construction on the substation is expected to begin in early 2027. The transmission line construction is expected to begin in November 2027. The new facilities are expected to be placed in service in October 2028. This schedule is subject to change.
Kentucky Power, headquartered in Ashland, provides electric service to approximately 162,000 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.
