ASHLAND, Ky., Aug.19, 2021 – Kentucky Power officials plan upgrades to the electric transmission system in Pike County. The Belfry Area Transmission Line Project involves:
The project allows crews to retire approximately 9 miles of 46-kV transmission line that includes aging wooden poles from the 1940s and retire outdated equipment at the Belfry Substation. Installing modern equipment and upgrading facilities reduces the need for frequent equipment maintenance and improves electric service reliability by providing a second source of power to customers served from the New Camp Substation located in South Williamson.
"This project modernizes the local electric transmission system and ensures that Pike County residents continue to receive reliable electric service." said Brett Mattison, Kentucky Power president and chief operating officer.
Company representatives are evaluating several route options for the new transmission line. The project begins at the New Camp Substation and continues southeast to the proposed Orinoco Substation located along Route 119. From there, the project continues south through Belfry to the Stone Substation near Route 199.
The Kentucky Power project team invites landowners in the project area to visit KentuckyPower.com/Belfry to learn more about the project enter a virtual open house and provide feedback by Thursday, September 23.
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. The packet also includes an invitation to two virtual town hall events on Thursday, September 9. Details on how to join the events can be found on the project website. Landowners and community members are invited to join one of these live events online or by phone to learn more about the project, ask questions and share input.
The project team plans to use feedback from the virtual open house, comment cards, virtual town hall events and additional field work to determine a power line route that minimizes impact to the community and environment.
Company officials plan to file an application with the Kentucky Public Service Commission in early 2022. If the project receives approval, company representatives expect construction to begin in summer 2023 and conclude fall 2024.
Kentucky Power, with headquarters in Ashland, provides electric service to about 165,000 customers in 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 (AEP) 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.