FORT WAYNE, Ind., Aug. 4, 2022 – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) representatives have scheduled an open house to offer information and answer questions about their plan to invest approximately $20 million to enhance the electric transmission network in Fort Wayne and Allen County.
I&M announced the Eastern Fort Wayne Transmission Line Rebuild Project in fall 2020. The project involves replacing about 12 miles of aging lattice towers from the 1920s with modern steel poles in the existing right-of-way. The poles use the Breakthrough Overhead Line Design (BOLD), which take up less space on the ground and deliver power more efficiently. They have a unique appearance, with an arch at the top of the pole.
Construction is underway on the first half of the transmission line between Allen Substation off East Tillman Road and Hacienda Substation off Stellhorn Road in Fort Wayne.
As crews and contractors prepare for construction on the next segment of the transmission line between Hacienda Substation and Robison Park Substation off North Clinton Street, I&M representatives are hosting an in-person open house. Residents can learn more about the project and upcoming construction activities and ask questions. Area residents are invited to attend the open house on Wednesday, Aug. 17, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Harris Elementary School’s gymnasium, located at 4501 Thorngate Dr. in Fort Wayne.
Since there’s no formal presentation, attendees can arrive at any time to review maps and talk with project team members.
For the health and safety of the public, we ask that if someone is experiencing fever, cough, body aches, or other COVID-19 symptoms, to please stay home.
Community members who are unable to attend the open house may visit a virtual open house at IndianaMichiganPower.com/EasternFortWayne to access information, view an interactive map, enter the virtual open house and submit comments.
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ABOUT INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER: Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,100 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 80% of its energy delivered in 2021 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 35 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.
ABOUT AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. 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 safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2050. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. 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, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tracy Warner
Corporate Communications Manager
260-479-9484
tkwarner@aep.com