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Cleanup and Restoration News

Below you will find the most recently available information regarding the mineral oil releases in Wayne and Wyoming counties, West Virginia. This page will be updated throughout the remediation process. Any questions can be emailed to APCoCleanup@aep.com.

Wayne Area — East Lynn Substation Vandalism & Cleanup

On Jan. 13, 2026, Appalachian Power (APCo) was notified by the West Virginia Department of Health of a reported sheen on Twelvepole Creek near the East Lynn Substation (Wayne, W. Va.). APCo crews responded and found evidence of vandalism: a security fence had been cut, and a valve was found opened on a transformer inside the station which released mineral oil. The mineral oil (used to cool transformers) spilled onto the ground and reached the creek.

Actions Taken

  • Local law enforcement is investigating the vandalism; a reward has been offered for information leading to arrest and conviction.
  • APCo mobilized cleanup crews and contractors experienced in oil-spill response.
  • Contractors installed containment to prevent further oil from reaching the creek and established multiple collection points along the waterway.
  • Cleanup and remediation are ongoing. The work includes:
    • Installing booms and other controls in streams at strategic locations to prevent material from migrating further downstream.
    • Deploying vacuum trucks, oil skimmers and air boat crews to remove oil from the water.
    • Remediating oil impacted soil on the station site.
    • Demolishing the station equipment including the removal of the vandalized transformer and two additional transformers. (Completed)

We will provide updates as the cleanup progresses and as more information from the investigation becomes available. If you have information about the incident, please contact local law enforcement.

The fence of the substation was cut in an act of vandalism.

As of Feb. 24 — Remediation Efforts in Wayne County

  • In collaboration with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP), booms and other response equipment have been removed from Twelvepole Creek because they are no longer necessary.
  • At Camp Creek, a drum skimmer (operated with a vacuum truck), is skimming oil upstream of an underflow dam for collection.
  • Excavation at the East Lynn Substation was completed to remove visible mineral oil impacts. Testing is underway to confirm all affected soil has been removed.
The fence of the substation was cut in an act of vandalism.

Wyoming Station — Transformer Failure

On Jan. 30, 2026, equipment failure at the Wyoming Station in Clear Fork caused a mineral oil release that impacted the nearby Reedy Creek. APCo crews and external spill response contractors have been onsite since the onset to coordinate cleanup activities. An investigation is ongoing to determine how the material left the station property and reached the creek.

As of Feb. 24 – Remediation Efforts in Wyoming County

  • No additional mineral oil has been observed entering Reedy Creek. An underflow dam remains in place in Reedy Creek as a precaution and crews are addressing any residual oil that is observed.
  • Debris collected in containment booms has been removed and properly disposed of.
  • In coordination with the WV DEP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, crews collected sticks and other debris after deploying 5,000 feet of containment boom on R.D. Bailey Lake.
Crews collected sticks and other debris after deploying 5,000 feet of containment boom on R.D. Bailey Lake.

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