FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power will conduct aerial inspections of its high-voltage lines from a helicopter beginning Monday, Aug. 3. The inspections help maintain the reliability of the electric transmission system.

The flights are scheduled to inspect transmission lines in I&M’s Indiana service territory, which includes Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana; South Bend and North Central Indiana; Muncie and East Central Indiana; and Southwest Michigan.

The approximate dates for inspections by area are:

• South Bend, North Central Indiana:               Aug. 3-15
• Southwest Michigan:                                      Aug. 3-15
• Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana:               Aug. 15-22
• Muncie and East Central Indiana:                  Aug. 22-Sept. 5

I&M’s contractor will conduct the inspections from a red-and-white helicopter with the number N-88LH. The aircraft will fly about 50-100 feet above the lines at a speed of 40-45 mph, covering about 350 miles each day. During inspections, the helicopter may need to circle a single structure or area several times to check the condition of electrical equipment.

Flights are scheduled to occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weather delays could alter flight schedules.

Customers with questions or concerns about aerial inspections should contact I&M at 800-311-4634.

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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,100 employees serve more than 599,000 customers. More than two-thirds of its energy delivered in 2019 was emission-free.  I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 15 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 219,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 32,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,300 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Tracy Warner
Indiana Michigan Power Communications
260-479-9484
tkwarner@aep.com