Beginning on or about June 1, weather permitting, American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) will begin an aerial maintenance program this week. This program is necessary for maintaining the rights-of-way for some power lines in West Virginia, and it will be executed by applying herbicides via helicopter.
“The company generally makes aerial maintenance applications only in less populated areas where terrain and accessibility make it difficult for ground-based crews to safely clear rights of way,” said Travis Klinebriel, utility forester. Rights of way in populated areas, as well as near parks, ponds and other sensitive areas, are maintained by other means.
Herbicides used by AEP have been registered for use on rights-of-way by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDoA). Herbicides used are imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, fosamine, triclopyr, aminocyclopyrachlor and aminopyralid; the manufacturer, colleges and governmental and independent research laboratories have extensively tested each. Questions concerning these herbicides may be addressed to the EPA and the WVDoA.
As part of AEP’s commitment to safety, helicopter pilots conduct thorough visual checks of all areas to be treated in advance. This is to verify the location of any sensitive areas and ensure that people or domestic animals are not visible in the area to be maintained.
Right-of-way maintenance agreements between AEP and landowners are available to landowners who prefer to accept responsibility for clearing the right-of-way crossing their property instead of the company’s aerial application of herbicides. The agreement compensates the landowner by an amount equivalent to the cost of aerial herbicide application, provided the work meets Appalachian Power’s specifications.
Customers with questions about the company’s aerial maintenance program can call 260-897-8090 or 1-800-642-3622 for information. Customers also can write for information at Transmission Forestry, 46399 National Road West, St. Clairsville, OH, 43950.
Residents who have questions about the program or who want to alert the company to the location of sensitive areas near power lines, such as springs, wells, streams, lakes, ponds, orchards, crop areas, gardens, pastures, meadows, year-round dwellings, public recreation areas and Christmas tree farms, should also contact the company. To ensure accurate reporting of the sensitive areas, provide the number of the nearest pole or tower. These numbers are posted on utility poles and one leg of utility towers.
After the maintenance program begins, 24-hour telephone service at the above number will provide information daily on locations scheduled for maintenance.
Complaints about possible damage resulting from herbicide applications should be made by contacting AEP at its toll‑free number or the above addresses. Complaints also may be directed to the WVDoA, Pesticide Regulatory Programs Unit, which can be reached in Charleston at (304) 558-2209.
Lines scheduled for maintenance in West Virginia include:
Note to Editors: If you wish, you may select only the line descriptions that apply to your county.
BROOKE COUNTY
Tidd-Natrium 138kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Natrium Station along Route 2 north of Proctor, running north for 40 miles, passing Sherrard, Triadelphia and West Liberty and ending at the Tidd Power Plant south of Brilliant, Ohio.
Tidd-Collier 345kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Tidd Power Plant next to the Ohio River, running east across wooded land for 16 miles to the Pennsylvania border.
Tidd-Sammis Tap 345kV – A transmission line tap line on steel structures beginning at the Tidd-Natrium transmission line just past County Route 27 near Brook Hills Park, running north one mile to the Pennsylvania border.
West Liberty Tap 138kV – A transmission tap line on steel structures beginning at the Tidd-Natrium transmission line, running west and ending at West Liberty.
Battle Run Tap 138kV – A transmission tap line on steel structures beginning at the Tidd-Natrium transmission line, running west for 0.1 miles and ending near Clinton.
MARSHALL COUNTY
Amos-Kammer 765kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Mitchell Power Plant, running south and southwest, passing the midpoints of Proctor, New Martinsville and Sistersville, and ending at a steel structure near Friendly Hill Road in Friendly.
Kammer-Powhattan No. 1 69kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Kammer Plant, running north along Route 2, crossing the river into Ohio.
Tidd-Natrium 138kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Natrium Station along Route 2 north of Proctor, running north for 40 miles, passing Sherrard, Triadelphia and West Liberty and ending at the Tidd Power Plant south of Brilliant, Ohio.
OHIO COUNTY
Tidd-Natrium 138kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Natrium Station along Route 2 north of Proctor, running north for 40 miles, passing Sherrard, Triadelphia and West Liberty and ending at the Tidd Power Plant south of Brilliant, Ohio.
Valley Grove Tap 138kV – A transmission line tap line on steel structures beginning at the Tidd-Natrium transmission line, crossing State Route 40 near Flam Spring.
George Washington Tap 138kV – A transmission tap line on steel structures beginning at Round Bottom next to Moundsville Country Club, running southeast for 4.75 miles and ending at the Tidd-Natrium transmission line near Robert’s Ridge.
TYLER COUNTY
Amos-Kammer 765kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Mitchell Power Plant, running south and southwest, passing the midpoints of Proctor, New Martinsville and Sistersville, and ending at a steel structure near Friendly Hill Road in Friendly.
WETZEL COUNTY
Amos-Kammer 765kV – A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Mitchell Power Plant, running south and southwest, passing the midpoints of Proctor, New Martinsville and Sistersville, and ending at a steel structure near Friendly Hill Road in Friendly.
American Electric Power has 1 million customers in West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is part of American Electric Power, which is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million customers in 11 states. AEP is also one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 5,900 megawatts of renewable energy.
