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 2-5* miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) power line.
• Upgrading approximately 4-6* 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.

*Mileage depends on proposed final line route determination.

Installing an additional power line in the area enhances area reliability so that if one line experiences an outage, the other line can continue to serve customers. This operational flexibility reduces the number and duration of outages to area customers. Without these enhancements, the area's power demand could exceed the line's operational capacity and cause larger, sustained community power outages. Upgrading and retiring deteriorating equipment reduces the need for frequent power line maintenance.

Company representatives plan to evaluate study segments to build a power line and rebuild existing power lines. Study segments are multiple alternatives presented to determine a line route. Company representatives do not build all study segments, rather, they select one route to build based on public feedback and feasibility.

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

Spring 2025: AEP Ohio representatives plan to conduct additional field surveys within the project study area starting in May to gather environmental and cultural data. The project team plans to use the survey information to aid in designing and engineering the power line. Some of the activities involve using equipment to collect soil samples at select locations within the study area. This helps determine the types of poles and power line to use during construction. The surveys are scheduled to continue through the summer.

Company officials plan to host another open house with a refined proposed line route in late summer or early fall.

No final line route has been selected at this time.

Athena Area Improvements Project Public Notice (PDF)