Appalachian Power to use helicopters to maintain some power line rights of way

May 19, 2022

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Beginning on or about June 1, Appalachian Power will maintain the rights of way for some power lines in West Virginia by applying herbicides by 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.

Customers with questions about the company's aerial maintenance program can call a toll-free number, 1-800-642-3622, for information. Customers also can write for information at Appalachian Power, Attn: Transmission Forestry, 404 29th Street, West, Charleston, WV 25387.

"Herbicides used by AEP and Appalachian Power 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)," Klinebriel said. Herbicides to be used are imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, fosamine, triclopyr, aminocyclopyrachlor and aminopyralid. Each has been extensively tested by the manufacturer, colleges and governmental and independent research laboratories.

Rigid EPA and WVDoA restrictions and regulations are carefully observed by Appalachian Power contractors in applying herbicides. All areas to be treated are visually checked by helicopter pilots in advance to verify the location of any sensitive areas and to ensure that people or domestic animals are not visible in the area to be maintained. All applications are made by contractors who are certified applicators. Questions concerning these herbicides may be addressed to the EPA and the WVDoA.

Right of way maintenance agreements between Appalachian Power and landowners are available to landowners who prefer to accept responsibility for clearing the right of way crossing their property in lieu of 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's specifications.

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 plantations, should also contact the company. To prevent any misunderstanding about the location of the sensitive areas being reported, the number of the nearest pole or tower should be provided. Numbers are posted on utility poles and on one leg of utility towers.

After the maintenance program begins, a 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 Appalachian Power at its toll-free number or the above address. 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. E-mail versions of this release are available upon request.]

BOONE COUNTY

Amos-Logan 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Turner Station in Institute and running south to the Hopkins Station in Danville, passing near St. Albans, Alum Creek, Sumerco and Julian. The line continues running south, passing near Turtle Creek and Mitchell Heights and ending at the Logan Station in Logan.

Elk Run Tap 46kV - A transmission tap line on wood poles beginning at a point off the Bim-Sundial 46kV transmission line, running north and ending at the Elk Run Station near Sylvester.

Bim Tap 138kV - A transmission tap line on wood poles beginning at the Bim Station off Pond Fork Road, running south and then southwest, passing near Pondco and ending at a tap structure near Vances Hollow.

Cherry Pond Tap 69kV - A transmission tap line on wood poles beginning at the Pettus-Sundial 138kV transmission line, running west and ending at the Cherry Pond Station near Montcoal.

Baileysville-Sundial 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville and running north, passing near Clear Fork, Lillyhaven, Oceana and Edwight and ending at the Sundial Station near Sundial.

Kanawha-Baileysville 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Kanawha River Plant and running southwest through Kanawha County, crossing Dry Branch Road, Interstate 64, Cabin Creek Road and Coal Fork Road. The line then enters Boone County and runs south, crossing Seng Creek Road. The line continues into Raleigh County, crossing Clear Fork Road and Coal River Road near Edwight, then reenters Boone County and crosses Pond Fork Road and Bolt Road. The line then runs into Wyoming County, crossing Kooperston Road, Cranny Road and the Appalachian Highway, and ends just south of West Virginia Route 10.

CABELL COUNTY

Sporn-Tri-State 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Tri-State Station off West Virginia Route 75 near Buffalo Creek and running northeast, passing near Lavalette, Milton, Glenwood and Letart and ending at the Sporn Station near New Haven.

FAYETTE COUNTY

Mollys Creek-Nuttall 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at Mollys Creek Station on Buery Mountain Road and running northeast, passing near Pittman, Landisburg and Clifftop and ending at the Nuttall Station near Lookout.

Layland-McClung 69kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Layland Station near Layland and running northeast, passing near Crickmer, Meadow Bridge, Bellwood, Rainelle and McRoss and ending at the McClung Station near Leslie.

Kanawha River-Lurich 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at Structure 50 in Fayette County and running southeast, crossing Kincaid Kingston Road, West Virginia Route 612, Plum Orchard Lake Road and Packs Branch Road and ending at Structure 91 near the Fayette/Raleigh County line.

Cabin Creek-Hinton 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at Structure 118-49A south of Kincaid, crossing Kincaid Kingston Road, Lick Fork Road, West Virginia Route 612, Plum Orchard Lake Road and Packs Branch Road and ending at the Fayette/Raleigh County line.

GREENBRIER COUNTY

Layland-McClung 69kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Layland Station near Layland and running northeast, passing near Crickmer, Meadow Bridge, Bellwood, Rainelle and McRoss and ending at the McClung Station near Leslie.

McRoss-Anjean 34kV - A distribution line on wood poles beginning at West Virginia Route 20 in Charmco and running east to Anjean. The line then turns northeast, passes Duo and ends at Clearco.

JACKSON COUNTY

Sporn-Kanawha River 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at Structure 86 at the Mason/Jackson County line and running southeast through Jackson County, crossing Tight Squeeze Road and Peppermint Creek Road, then entering Putnam County and crossing Jim Ridge Road, Ghost Hollow Road, Clendenin Creek Road and McClane Pike. The line continues southeast through Kanawha County, crossing Dog Fork Road, Spicewood Road, West Virginia Route 19, Interstate 77, Poca River Road, Grapevine Road, Hughart Drive, Coopers Creek Road, Interstate 79, Campbells Creek Drive and Kellys Creek Drive, and ends at the Kanawha River Plant.

KANAWHA COUNTY

Amos-Logan 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Turner Station in Institute and running south to the Hopkins Station in Danville, passing near St. Albans, Alum Creek, Sumerco and Julian. The line continues running south, passing near Turtle Creek and Mitchell Heights and ending at the Logan Station in Logan.

Amos-Sissonville 345kV - A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the John Amos Plant and running east into Kanawha County, crossing Harmons Creek Road, West Virginia Route 7, Frogs Creek Road, Derricks Creek Road and Haines Branch Road and ending northwest of Sissonville.

Sporn-Kanawha River 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at Structure 86 at the Mason/Jackson County line and running southeast through Jackson County, crossing Tight Squeeze Road and Peppermint Creek Road, then entering Putnam County and crossing Jim Ridge Road, Ghost Hollow Road, Clendenin Creek Road and McClane Pike. The line continues southeast through Kanawha County, crossing Dog Fork Road, Spicewood Road, West Virginia Route 19, Interstate 77, Poca River Road, Grapevine Road, Hughart Drive, Coopers Creek Road, Interstate 79, Campbells Creek Drive and Kellys Creek Drive, and ends at the Kanawha River Plant.

Kanawha-Baileysville 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Kanawha River Plant and running southwest through Kanawha County, crossing Dry Branch Road, Interstate 64, Cabin Creek Road and Coal Fork Road. The line then enters Boone County and runs south, crossing Seng Creek Road. The line continues into Raleigh County, crossing Clear Fork Road and Coal River Road near Edwight, then reenters Boone County and crosses Pond Fork Road and Bolt Road. The line then runs into Wyoming County, crossing Kooperston Road, Cranny Road and the Appalachian Highway, and ends just south of West Virginia Route 10.

Southridge Extension 138kV - A transmission line extension on steel structures beginning at the Cabin Creek-Turner 138kV circuit, running south and ending at the Southridge Station on the west side of U.S. Route 119.

Guthrie Tap 69kV - A transmission tap line on wood towers beginning at the Capital Hill-Chemical 46kV line, running parallel to Sissonville Drive, crossing Casdorph Road and ending at the Guthrie Station.

Cabin Creek-Turner 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning in St. Albans and running southeast, crossing Smith Creek Road, Chestnut Street, Johnstone Road, U.S. Route 119, Kanawha State Forest Drive, Lens Creek Road, Left Fork Road, Fields Creek Road, Slaughters Creek Drive and Interstate 64 and ending at the Cabin Creek Station.

Capitol Hill-Clendenin 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Capitol Hill Station, running north along the west side of Yeager airport and east of the Interstate 77/79 split and ending at the Clendenin Station.

Capitol Hill-Kanawha River 138kV - A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the Capitol Hill Station and running southeast, crossing Greenbrier Street, Bakers Fork Road, Valley Grove Road, Campbells Creek Drive, Point Lick Drive and Kellys Creek Drive and ending at the Kanawha River Plant.

Chesterfield Avenue Extension 138kV - A transmission line extension on steel structures beginning at the Cabin Creek-Turner 138kV line and running north, crossing Kanawha State Forest Drive, Cane Fork Road and Quarry Ridge and ending at the Chesterfield Avenue Station.

Coco-Flatwoods 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Coco Station and running north, crossing Bakers Fork Road and Valley Grove Road and ending at the Flatwoods Station.

Linden Road-Thorofare Creek 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Thorofare Creek Station, running north and west through Kanawha County, crossing Elk River Run Road, County Route 59 and Interstate 79. The line then enters Roane County and crosses Amma Road, Cottontree Road and Robinson Road to the Ambler Ridge Station. The line then runs northeast, crossing Walker Ridge Road, West Virginia Route 54, Bee Lick Road, Clay Road and Simmons Fork Road, and ends at the Linden Road Station on Linden Road.

Rensford-Rensford 12kV - A distribution line on wood poles beginning at the Rensford Station and running south to Hunt Hollow off Witcher Creek. The line then turns west and ends at the towers off Springfork Drive.

LINCOLN COUNTY

Amos-Logan 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Turner Station in Institute and running south to the Hopkins Station in Danville, passing near St. Albans, Alum Creek, Sumerco and Julian. The line continues running south, passing near Turtle Creek and Mitchell Heights and ending at the Logan Station in Logan.

LOGAN COUNTY

Amos-Logan 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Turner Station in Institute and running south to the Hopkins Station in Danville, passing near St. Albans, Alum Creek, Sumerco and Julian. The line continues running south, passing near Turtle Creek and Mitchell Heights and ending at the Logan Station in Logan.

Logan-Pine Gap 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Logan Station in Logan and running south, passing near Whites Addition and Whitman and ending at the Pine Gap Station near Upper Whitman.

Pine Creek Tap 138kV - A transmission tap line on wood poles beginning at a point off the Logan-Sprigg 138kV line near Pine Creek Road, running west and ending at the Pine Creek Station.

Chauncey Tap 138kV - A transmission tap line on steel structures beginning on the main line near Whitman Creek Road, running east and ending at the Chauncey Station off Sandy Bottom Road near Chauncey.

Huff Creek Loop 138kV - A transmission tap line on steel structures beginning at the main line near Green Valley Road, running south and ending at the Huff Creek Station off Huff Creek Highway near Huff Junction.

Huff Creek-Wharncliffe 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Wharncliffe Station near Wharncliffe and running north, passing near Twisted Gun, Gilbert, Verner and Christian and ending at the Huff Station near Huff Junction.

Logan-Sprigg 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Logan Station in Logan and running southwest, passing near Whitman and Ragland and ending at the West Virginia Route 49 road crossing near Surosa.

MARSHALL COUNTY

Sand Hill-Warton Hill 138kV - A transmission line on metal poles beginning at the Sandhill Station, running east for 7.5 miles and ending at Warton Hill Station.

George Washington Tap 138kV - A transmission tap line off of the Tidd-Natrium line, running west 4.75 miles and ending at the George Washington Station.

Kammer-Ormets #1 and #2 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Kammer Plant, running south 11 miles and ending at the chemical plant near New Martinsville.

Mobay-Natrium 69kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Natrium Station, running south and ending at the Mobay Station on West Virginia Route 2.

Natrium-Monongahela 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Natrium Station, running south and ending at a point of connection with First Energy near Riverview Hill Road.

Washington-Dilles Bottom 69kV - A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the George Washington Station and running north, crossing the Ohio River and ending at the Dilles Bottom Station.

Wayman-Gosney Hill 138kV - A transmission line on steel poles that begins at the Tidd-Natrium line, runs east for 7.6 miles and ends at the Gosney Hill gas facility.

Wheeling-Moundsville 69kV - A transmission line beginning at the Brues Station and running south. The line runs parallel to the Ohio River for 8.24 miles and ends at the Moundsville Station.

Aston Loop 138kV - A transmission tap line on steel poles beginning at the Big Grave Creek Station near Falls Creek Lane, running east for 1.3 miles and ending at the Aston Station off Fork Creek Road.

Moundsville-Natrium 69kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Mitchell Plant, running south along West Virginia Route 7 for 13.6 miles and ending at the Natrium Station by the General Hydrogen facility off Energy Road.

MASON COUNTY

Gavin-Mountaineer 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at West Virginia Route 62 near Point Pleasant and running east, passing near Sassafras and ending at Mountaineer Station near New Haven.

Amos-Mountaineer 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the John Amos Plant and running north, passing near Bancroft, Leon and Letart and ending at the Mountaineer Station near New Haven.

Sporn-Tri-State 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Tri-State Station off West Virginia Route 75 near Buffalo Creek and running northeast, passing near Lavalette, Milton, Glenwood and Letart and ending at the Sporn Station near New Haven.

MCDOWELL COUNTY

Garden Creek-Baileysville 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the West Virginia/Virginia state line near Paynesville and running northeast, passing near Beartown, Apple Grove, Sandy Huff and Pad Fork and ending at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville.

Logan-Switchback 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville and running southeast, crossing over West Virginia Route 16, passing Belcher Mountain, Northfork and Elkhorn and ending at the Switchback Station near Switchback.

Glen Lyn-Switchback 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Switchback Station between Switchback and Maybeury and running east, passing near Minnix Mountain and Princeton and ending at the West Virginia/Virginia state border.

MERCER COUNTY

Glen Lyn-Switchback 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Switchback Station between Switchback and Maybeury and running east, passing near Minnix Mountain and Princeton and ending at the West Virginia/Virginia state border.

MINGO COUNTY

Sprigg-Beaver Creek 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Sprigg Station and running west, passing near Sprigg and ending at the West Virginia Route 49 road crossing.

Grant Branch Tap 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Ragland Station in Ragland and running southwest, passing near the Appalachian Regional Airport and Varney and ending at the Grant Branch Station near Pie.

Sprigg-Wharncliffe 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Sprigg Station near Sprigg and running southeast, passing near Matewan, Red Jacket, Thacker, Grapevine, Glen Alum and Ben Creek and ending at the Wharncliffe Station near Wharncliffe.

Ragland Loop 138kV - A transmission tap line on wood poles beginning at the Ragland Station in Ragland, running north and ending at the main transmission line.

Huff Creek-Wharncliffe 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Wharncliffe Station near Wharncliffe and running north, passing near Twisted Gun, Gilbert, Verner and Christian and ending at the Huff Station near Huff Junction.

Logan-Sprigg 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Logan Station in Logan and running southwest, passing near Whitman and Ragland and ending at the West Virginia Route 49 road crossing near Surosa.

PUTNAM COUNTY

Amos-Mountaineer 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the John Amos Plant and running north, passing near Bancroft, Leon and Letart and ending at the Mountaineer Station near New Haven.

Amos-Sissonville 345kV - A transmission line on steel towers beginning at the John Amos Plant and running east into Kanawha County, crossing Harmons Creek Road, West Virginia Route 7, Frogs Creek Road, Derricks Creek Road and Haines Branch Road and ending northwest of Sissonville.

Sporn-Kanawha River 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at Structure 86 at the Mason/Jackson County line and running southeast through Jackson County, crossing Tight Squeeze Road and Peppermint Creek Road, then entering Putnam County and crossing Jim Ridge Road, Ghost Hollow Road, Clendenin Creek Road and McClane Pike. The line continues southeast through Kanawha County, crossing Dog Fork Road, Spicewood Road, West Virginia Route 19, Interstate 77, Poca River Road, Grapevine Road, Hughart Drive, Coopers Creek Road, Interstate 79, Campbells Creek Drive and Kellys Creek Drive, and ends at the Kanawha River Plant.

RALEIGH COUNTY

Cherry Pond Tap 69kV - A transmission tap line on wood poles beginning at the Pettus-Sundial 138kV transmission line, running west and ending at the Cherry Pond Station near Montcoal.

Baileysville-Sundial 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville and running north, passing near Clear Fork, Lillyhaven, Oceana and Edwight and ending at the Sundial Station near Sundial.

Dameron-Leewood-Sundial 69kV - A transmission line on steel towers and wood poles beginning at the Dameron Station near Dameron and running northwest, passing near Workman Creek, Ameagle, Dorothy, Packsville, Marfork, Pettus and Eunice and ending at the Sundial Station near Sundial.

Mullens-Sophia 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Mullens Station near Corinne and running north, passing near Rhodell, Pickshin, Boyer and Sullivan and ending at the Sophia Station near Sophia.

Baileysville-Tams Mountain 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville and running northeast, passing near Marianna, Marsh Fork, Key Rock, Milam, Poplar Gap, Glen Rogers and Slab Fork and ending at the Tams Mountain Station on Tams Mountain.

This also includes a tap line on wood poles beginning at the Poplar Gap Station, running northwest and ending at the Bolt Station.

Kanawha-Baileysville 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Kanawha River Plant and running southwest through Kanawha County, crossing Dry Branch Road, Interstate 64, Cabin Creek Road and Coal Fork Road. The line then enters Boone County and runs south, crossing Seng Creek Road. The line continues into Raleigh County, crossing Clear Fork Road and Coal River Road near Edwight, then reenters Boone County and crosses Pond Fork Road and Bolt Road. The line then runs into Wyoming County, crossing Kooperston Road, Cranny Road and the Appalachian Highway, and ends just south of West Virginia Route 10.

ROANE COUNTY

Linden Road-Thorofare Creek 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Thorofare Creek Station, running north and west through Kanawha County, crossing Elk River Run Road, County Route 59 and Interstate 79. The line then enters Roane County and crosses Amma Road, Cottontree Road and Robinson Road to the Ambler Ridge Station. The line then runs northeast, crossing Walker Ridge Road, West Virginia Route 54, Bee Lick Road, Clay Road and Simmons Fork Road, and ends at the Linden Road Station on Linden Road.

WAYNE COUNTY

Sporn-Tri-State 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Tri-State Station off West Virginia Route 75 near Buffalo Creek and running northeast, passing near Lavalette, Milton, Glenwood and Letart and ending at the Sporn Station near New Haven.

Big Sandy-Tri-State 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the West Virginia Route 52 crossing and running northeast, passing near Cyrus and ending at the Tri-State Station off West Virginia Route 75 near Buffalo Creek.

Big Sandy-Thelma 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Big Sandy Plant and running south, passing near Fort Gay and ending at West Virginia Route 52.

WYOMING COUNTY

Baileysville-Sundial 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville and running north, passing near Clear Fork, Lillyhaven, Oceana and Edwight and ending at the Sundial Station near Sundial.

Mullens-Sophia 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Mullens Station near Corinne and running north, passing near Rhodell, Pickshin, Boyer and Sullivan and ending at the Sophia Station near Sophia.

Baileysville-Tams Mountain 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville and running northeast, passing near Marianna, Marsh Fork, Key Rock, Milam, Poplar Gap, Glen Rogers and Slab Fork and ending at the Tams Mountain Station on Tams Mountain.

This also includes a tap line on wood poles beginning at the Poplar Gap Station, running northwest and ending at the Bolt Station.

Garden Creek-Baileysville 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the West Virginia/Virginia state line near Paynesville and running northeast, passing near Beartown, Apple Grove, Sandy Huff and Pad Fork and ending at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville.

Logan-Switchback 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville and running southeast, crossing over West Virginia Route 16, passing Belcher Mountain, Northfork and Elkhorn and ending at the Switchback Station near Switchback.

Kanawha-Baileysville 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Kanawha River Plant and running southwest through Kanawha County, crossing Dry Branch Road, Interstate 64, Cabin Creek Road and Coal Fork Road. The line then enters Boone County and runs south, crossing Seng Creek Road. The line continues into Raleigh County, crossing Clear Fork Road and Coal River Road near Edwight, then reenters Boone County and crosses Pond Fork Road and Bolt Road. The line then runs into Wyoming County, crossing Kooperston Road, Cranny Road and the Appalachian Highway, and ends just south of West Virginia Route 10.