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

May 9, 2024

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Weather permitting, Appalachian Power 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 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). 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 Appalachian Power'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 Appalachian Power 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 a toll-free number (1-800-642-3622) for information. Customers also can write for information at Appalachian Power, Attn: Transmission Forestry, 346 Raymond Peak Way, Hurricane, W.Va., 25526.

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 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:

BOONE COUNTY

• Amos-Kanawha 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Amos Station off Route 817 in Poca. The line runs south, passing the midpoint of Sissonville and Pinch and ending near Route 60 in Glasgow.
• Boone-Cabin Creek 46kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Boone Station off Ashford Hill Road in Ashford. The line runs south, passing the midpoint of Peytona and Bloomingrose and ending near Smith Heights Road in Cabin Creek.
• Beth Tap 138kV - A transmission tap line on wood poles beginning at the Amos-Logan transmission line south of the Hopkins station, running north for nine spans and ending at the Beth Metering Station.
• Lacey Branch 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning near the intersection of Route 85 and Bolt Road in Wharton, running west and ending at the Lacey Branch Station near the intersection of State Road 84 and County Highway 11/04 in Wharton.
• Culloden-Wyoming 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning off of James River Turnpike at the Culloden Station, running south through Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam and Wyoming counties and the towns of Snowden, Havana, Stowe and Lynco. The line crosses the midpoint at Hewett Creek Road and ends at the Wyoming Station off Clear Fork Road in Clear Fork.
• Ten Mile Loop 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures that taps off the Kanawha River-Baileysville 138kV line, running east and ending at the Ten Mile Station.
• Boone-Fields Creek 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Boone Station near Ashford, running southeast and then east, passing the midpoints of Racine and Bloomingrose and ending at the Fields Creek Station near Fields Creek Road in Winifrede.
• Boone-Ward Hollow 69kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at Boone Station near Ashford, running northwest and then north, passing the midpoints of Emmons, Hollyhurst, Brounland, Alum Creek and Ruth and ending at the Ward Hollow Station near Union Carbide Drive in Charleston.

CABELL COUNTY

• Darrah Tap 138kV - A transmission tap line on steel structures beginning at the Turner-Southpoint transmission line off Cedar Crest Drive in Melissa. The line runs north toward Huntington, crossing Interstate 64 and US Highway 60, then turning west off of Wray Drive and ending at the Darrah Station off Buffington Street.
• South Buffalo Loop 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Amos-Sporn transmission line off of Ruby Drive in Buffalo, running northeast, crossing the midpoints of Cross Creek Road and Gritt Road and ending behind Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. at the South Buffalo Station off of Custer Ridge Road in Buffalo.
• Amos-North Proctorville 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the John Amos Plant, running west, passing the midpoint in Ona and ending off Route 2 at the Ohio River north of Barboursville.
• Merritts Creek Extension 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Darrah Tap north of Wray Drive in Huntington. The line runs east, passing the midpoint of Guyan River Road in Wilson, then heading northeast and ending at the Merritts Creek Station off Merritts Creek Road.

FAYETTE COUNTY

• Pax Branch-Scarbro 69kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at Pax Branch Station near Lively, running east, passing the midpoint of Plum Orchard Lake and ending at the Scarbro Station near Whipple Junction.
• Bradley-Scarbro 69kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Bradley Station near Blue Circle Road Road in Bradley, running east and then north, passing the midpoints of Mt. Hope and Glen Jean and ending at the Scarbro Station near Whipple Junction.
• Montgomery Loop 69kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Carbondale-London transmission line, running southwest, crossing the Kanawha River into Montgomery and ending at the Montgomery Station.
• Carbondale-Kincaid No. 1 46kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Carbondale Station, running south and ending at the Carbondale-Kincaid No. 2 line near Cannelton Hollow Road.
• Cabin Creek-Hinton 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Kanawha River Plant, running southeast, passing the midpoints of Elkridge, Powellton, Kincaid and Lively and ending at the Bradley Station near Route 19 in Bradley.
• Mollys Creek Extension 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at Mollys Creek Station in Mollys Creek, running south and ending near Mollys Creek at the main transmission line.

GREENBRIER COUNTY

• Leivasy-McClung 69kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the McClung Station near Quinwood, running northeast, passing near Marfrance and Green Valley and ending at the Quinwood station off Home Road in Quinwood.

KANAWHA COUNTY

• Amos-Kanawha 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Amos Station off Route 817 in Poca. The line runs south, passing the midpoint of Sissonville and Pinch and ending near Route 60 in Glasgow.
• Boone-Cabin Creek 46kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Boone Station off Ashford Hill Road in Ashford. The line runs south, passing the midpoint of Peytona and Bloomingrose and ending near Smith Heights Road in Cabin Creek.
• Belle-Cabin Creek No. 1 46kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Belle Station near West Dupont Avenue in Belle, running southwest, passing the midpoints of Chesapeake and Cabin Creek and ending at the Cabin Creek Station near Route 60 in Cabin Creek.
• Belle-Cabin Creek No. 2 46kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Belle Station near West Dupont Avenue in Belle, running southwest, passing the midpoints of Chesapeake and Cabin Creek and ending at the Cabin Creek Station near Route 60 in Cabin Creek.
• Point Lick-Patriot Coal Tap 138kV - A transmission tap line on steel structures beginning at the Capitol Hill-Kanawha River transmission line, running northeast and ending at the Patriot Coal Station.
• Gallagher Spur 46kV - A transmission line on wood structures beginning at Ronda Station near Cabin Creek Road in Ronda, running east and ending at the Gallagher Station near Paint Creek Road in Gallagher.
• Rensford Loop 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Capitol Hill-Kanawha River transmission line, running east and ending at the Rensford Station.
• Montgomery Loop 69kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Carbondale-London transmission line, running southwest, crossing the Kanawha River into Montgomery and ending at the Montgomery Station.
• Turner-Chemical 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Turner Station near Route 60 in Institute, running north and then east, passing the midpoint of Tyler Mountain and ending at the Chemical Station near Dunbar.
• Boone-Turner 46kV - A transmission line on wood structures beginning at the Turner Station near Route 60 in Institute, running north and then east, passing the midpoint of Tyler Mountain and ending at the Chemical-Turner transmission line near the intersection of Midway Drive and Shafer Road in Dunbar.
• Cabin Creek-Hinton 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Kanawha River Plant, running southeast, passing the midpoints of Elkridge, Powellton, Kincaid and Lively and ending at the Bradley Station near Route 19 in Bradley.
• Boone-Fields Creek 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Boone Station near Ashford, running southeast and then east, passing the midpoints of Racine and Bloomingrose and ending at the Fields Creek Station near Fields Creek Road in Winifrede.
• Cabin Creek-Winifrede Tap 69kV - A transmission tap line on steel structures beginning at the Boone-Fields Creek transmission line near Winifrede, running northeast and ending at the Belle-Cabin Creek No. 1 transmission line near Slaughters Creek Road in Chelyan.
• Fields Creek Extension 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Fields Creek Station near Winifrede, running northeast and ending at the Cabin Creek-Turner transmission line near Winifrede.
• Boone-Ward Hollow 69kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at Boone Station near Ashford, running northwest and then north, passing the midpoints of Emmons, Hollyhurst, Brounland, Alum Creek and Ruth and ending at the Ward Hollow Station near Union Carbide Drive in Charleston.

LINCOLN COUNTY

• Culloden-Wyoming 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning off James River Turnpike at the Culloden Station, running south through Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam and Wyoming counties and the towns of Snowden, Havana, Stowe and Lynco. The line crosses the midpoint at Hewett Creek Road and ends at the Wyoming Station off Clear Fork Road in Clear Fork.
• Sheridan Extension 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Sheridan Station off McClellan Highway in Sheridan, running south, crossing the midpoint of Four Mile Creek near Branchland and ending at the Midkiff Station off of Ten Mile Road in Rockville.
• Angel Branch Loop 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning off Willow Wood Trail in Sumerco, running west and ending at the Angle Branch switch off Pine Grove in Sumerco.

LOGAN COUNTY

• Culloden-Wyoming 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning off James River Turnpike at the Culloden Station, running south through Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam and Wyoming counties and the towns of Snowden, Havana, Stowe and Lynco. The line crosses the midpoint at Hewett Creek Road and ends at the Wyoming Station off of Clear Fork Road in Clear Fork.
• Mudfork Loop 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Logan-Marrowbone transmission line off Lower Dempsey Road in Logan, running south and ending at the Mudfork Station off of George Kostas Drive in Logan.
• Toney Fork Tap 46kV - A transmission tap line on wood poles beginning at Shirley Road in Craneco, running south, crossing Wylo Strip Road and ending at the Toney Fork Station off Toney Fork Road.
• Logan-Inez 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Logan Station, running west, passing the midpoint at Marrowbone and ending at the Big Sandy River in Lovely.

MASON COUNTY

• Mountaineer-Sporn Bus No. 1 and No. 2 138kV - Two transmission lines on steel structures beginning at the Mountaineer Plant off of Graham Station Road in Letart, running east and ending at the Sporn Station off Broad Run Road in Letart.
• Sporn-KygerCreek 345kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Sporn Station off Broad Run Road in Letart, running west, passing a midpoint crossing Robinson Creek Road, and ending at the Ohio River in Lakin.

MCDOWELL COUNTY

• Iaeger-Jim Branch 46kV - A transmission line on steel structures and wood poles beginning at the Jim Branch Station near Coalwood, running northwest, passing near Apple Grove and ending at the Iaeger Station near Iaeger.
• Bearwallow-Faraday 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Faraday Station near Amonate Mines, running west to the West Virginia-Virginia state line near Bearwallow, Va.
• Switchback-Saltville 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Switchback Station near Switchback, running southwest, passing near Jenkin Jones and ending at the West Virginia-Virginia state line near Monson.

MERCER COUNTY

• Speedway Tap 138kV - A transmission tap line on wood structures beginning at the Hatcher Station near Princeton, running north and ending at the Speedway Station near Athens.
• Halls Ridge Extension 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Halls Ridge Station near Halls Ridge, running south and ending at the main line near Hilltop Road.

MINGO COUNTY

• Borderland-Sprigg 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Sprigg Station off Route 49 near the Kentucky-West Virginia border. The line runs northwest, crossing the midpoint of US Route 52 near Cinderella and ending at the Borderland Station off Robert C. Byrd Freeway in Hatfield.
• Briar Mountain Tap 46kV - A transmission tap line on steel structures beginning off the Sprigg-Wharncliffe transmission line, running east and ending at the Briar Mountain Station off Left Fork Bens Creek south of Glen Alum.
• Sprigg-Wharncliffe 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Sprigg Station off Route 49 in Sprigg. The line runs southeast, crossing the midpoint near the Grapevine Station off Grapevine Creek Road north of Cedar and ending at Wharncliffe off of Spring Fork Road near the Wharncliffe Station.

NICHOLAS COUNTY

• Leivasy-McClung 69kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the McClung Station near Quinwood, running northeast, passing near Marfrance and Green Valley and ending at the Quinwood station off Home Road in Quinwood.

PUTNAM COUNTY

• South Buffalo Loop 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning off the Amos-Sporn transmission line off of Ruby Drive in Buffalo, running northeast, crossing the midpoints of Cross Creek Road and Gritt Road and ending behind the Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, Inc. at the South Buffalo Station off Custer Ridge Road in Buffalo.
• Amos-North Proctorville 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the John Amos Plant, running west, passing the midpoint in Ona and ending off Route 2 at the Ohio River north of Barboursville.
• Culloden-Wyoming 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning off James River Turnpike at the Culloden Station, running south through Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam and Wyoming counties and the towns of Snowden, Havana, Stowe and Lynco. The line crosses the midpoint at Hewett Creek Road and ends at the Wyoming Station off Clear Fork Road in Clear Fork.

RALEIGH COUNTY

• Baileysville-Sundial 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Baileysville Station off Brier Creek Road in Baileysville, running north, passing the midpoint of Kopperston and ending off of Coal River Road in Sundial.
• Bradley-Scarbro 69kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Bradley Station near Blue Circle Road in Bradley, running east and then north, passing the midpoints of Mt. Hope and Glen Jean and ending at the Scarbro Station near Whipple Junction.
• Cabin Creek-Hinton 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Kanawha River Plant, running southeast, passing the midpoints of Elkridge, Powellton, Kincaid and Lively and ending at the Bradley Station near Route 19 in Bradley.
• Grandview Loop/Clifftop Tap 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning near Table Rock, running west and ending at the Clifftop Station on Route 307 near Beaver.
• Bradley-Dameron 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Bradley Station near Bradley, running west, passing near Sweeneysburg and ending at the Dameron Station near Dameron.
• Cherry Creek-Pemberton 138kV - A transmission line on steel poles beginning at the Pemberton Station near Pemberton, running east, passing near Sullivan and ending at the Cherry Creek Station near Cherry Creek.
• Pierpont Extension 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Pierpont Station near Helen, running south for approximately a half-mile and ending south of Pierpont Station near Helen.
• Stotesbury-Pemberton-Sullivan138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Stotesbury Station near Stotesbury, running east, passing through Sophia and Pemberton and ending close to County Route 19-13 near Sullivan.
• Stotesbury-Tams Mountain 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Stotesbury Station, running west and parallel with Tams Highway and ending at the Tams Mountain Station near Tams Mountain.
• Sullivan-Cherry Creek 138kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at C and O Dam Road near Sullivan, running east, crossing over the West Virginia Turnpike and ending near East Whitby Road near Cherry Creek.
• Jarrold Extension 69kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Jarrold Station near Jarrold, running south and ending at the Pettus Southwest Station near Pettus.
• Jehu Extension 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Jehu Branch Station, running east and ending near Jehu Branch.
• North Beckley Loop 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the North Beckley Station, running northwest, crossing over New River Drive and ending east of Michigan Avenue near Beckley.

WAYNE COUNTY

• West Huntington-Big Sandy 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the West Huntington Station off 16^th Street in Huntington, running south, passing the midpoint of Lavalette and ending near Hewlet at the Big Sandy River.
• Amos-Sporn 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the John Amos Plant. The line crosses the Kanawha River and runs north, passing the midpoints of Red House, Capehart and Letart and ending at the Sporn Station along Route 62 in New Haven.

WYOMING COUNTY

• Baileysville-Sundial 46kV - A transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Baileysville Station off Brier Creek Road in Baileysville, running north, passing the midpoint of Kopperston and ending off Coal River Road in Sundial.
• Coal Mountain Tap 46kV - A transmission tap line on wood poles beginning at the Oceana Station off Clear Fork Road in Lilydale, running west and ending at the Coal Mountain Station on Upper Sturgeon Road in Coal Mountain.
• Culloden-Wyoming 765kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning off James River Turnpike at the Culloden Station, running south through Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam and Wyoming counties and the towns of Snowden, Havana, Stowe and Lynco. The line crosses the midpoint at Hewett Creek Road and ends at the Wyoming Station off Clear Fork Road in Clear Fork.
• Trail Fork Loop 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Logan-Switchback transmission line off Fort Branch Road in Pineville, running north and ending at the Trail Fork Station off Fort Branch Road in Pineville.
• Wyoming-Logan 138kV - A transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Wyoming Station off Clear Fork Road in Clear Fork, running south and ending at the Logan-Switchback transmission line off Hanners Branch Road in Simon.