Athens AreaImprovements Project

AEP Ohio representatives plan to upgrade the electric transmission network serving customers in Athens County.

The Athens Area Improvements Project involves:

• Building approximately 1.5 miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) power line.
• Upgrading about 6.5 miles of 69-kV power line to 138-kV power line.
• Retiring approximately 15 miles of transmission facilities.
• Upgrading Lee Substation located off Virginia Street in Albany and Elliott Substation located off Blackburn Road in Athens.

Upgrading and retiring the existing deteriorating equipment improves the line's performance, increases electric capacity and reduces the need for frequent power line maintenance.

This project requires Ohio Power Siting Borad (OPSB) approval.

Early 2026: The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) scheduled a public hearing for this project, which consists of two parts - a local public hearing and an adjudicatory hearing. The OPSB accepts written or oral testimony from any person at the local public hearing, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 4906.08(C).

See details on the upcoming hearings below:

Elliott-Lee 138kV Rebuild Application - Case No. 24-0978-EL-BTX (PDF)

Athens Area Improvements Project Informational Meeting #2 Notice (published 8-7-25)  (PDF)

Athens Area Improvements Project Informational Meeting #1 Notice (published 11-5-24) (PDF)