ELKHART, Ind. November 22 – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) plans to enhance electric reliability and efficiency for customers in north-central Indiana.

The East Elkhart Transmission Line Project involves:

• Building about 2 miles of 138-kilovolt (kV) power line to connect the proposed RV Capital Substation off County Road 19 to an existing power pole near County Road 23.
• Rebuilding nearly 1 mile of 138-kV power line between County Road 23 and County Road 123.
• Removing about 2 miles of 138-kV power line between County Road 23 and County Road 19.

The existing 60-year-old power line consists of aging equipment that does not meet today's operational standards. In the past decade, the existing power line has experienced five service interruptions resulting in extended power outages for area customers. The planned improvements provide a new power source to strengthen the local electric power grid, provide power to a future customer in the area and support economic development.

I&M representatives invite residents and community members to learn more about the project and provide feedback at an open house on Wednesday, December 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Northern Indiana Event Center, located at 21565 Executive Parkway, Elkhart, IN 46514.There is no formal presentation, so attendees can arrive any time during the event.

“The open house provides area residents an opportunity to talk with project team members about the proposed study segments and view detailed maps,” said Mona Livingston, I&M community affairs manager. “Input from the community helps the team determine the final line routes for the power lines.”

I&M team members plan to provide masks and hand sanitizer at the event. Those who are experiencing fever, cough, body aches or other flu or COVID-19 symptoms are asked to stay home. Community members who are unable to attend the in-person event can visit the virtual open house online at IndianaMichiganPower.com/EastElkhart to access information, view an interactive map, and submit comments.

Construction on the project is set to begin in summer 2024 and conclude in early 2025.

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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.

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 2045. 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:
Michael Bianski
Communication Consultant Sr.
Indiana Michigan Power
260-249-5419
mfbianski@aep.com