Appalachian Power representatives submitted an application to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) last month for the Stuart Area Improvements Project. The SCC is now starting their review process. The project consists of several components for power line and substation upgrades over a period of years.

The proposed upgrades will provide a new electrical source for the region and increase reliability for customers in Patrick, Henry, Floyd, Franklin, and Carroll counties. The upgrades also replace 60 to 100-year-old equipment and improve the local distribution system.

“This extensive transmission improvements project modernizes these transmission facilities by replacing a dated 69-kilovolt (kV) electrical system with a reliable and resilient 138-kV system capable of supporting the area’s current power needs. The upgrades also provide opportunities for future load growth, supporting central Virginia’s economy,” said Scott Markwell, AEP Project Manager. 

Landowners within the SCC filing corridor, approximately 300 feet on both sides of the proposed centerline, can expect to receive a mailing in the coming months explaining how to participate in the project approval process. If the SCC approves the application, Appalachian Power representatives plan to contact landowners who own property along the approved power line route to discuss next steps.

Company officials announced the proposed project in fall 2022. The project team hosted six in-person open houses and worked with community members and local officials to gather feedback on the project.

Following the public engagement process, and after months of review, the project team determined the proposed line routes. The team reviewed future land use, environmental impacts and input gathered during landowner meetings, community open houses and virtual open houses.

“Every community member’s input was essential to ensuring our line routing process considers the proposed project’s community impact. The project team enlisted a number of outreach methods to ensure the community was notified of the components of the project and were able to provide detailed information throughout the process. We are pleased with the public’s engagement on this project and look forward to the opportunity to make these much-needed improvements for our existing and future customers,” said Amanda Cox, AEP Manager, External Affairs.

Please visit AppalachianPower.com/Stuart to learn more about the project and view the SCC application. The Stuart Area Improvements Project involves constructing several components in the next few years with the first component expected to begin in fall 2025.

Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West 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.