BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich.,– Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) values input from customers and the communities we proudly serve. Based on important feedback garnered at a June open house in Berrien County and additional field studies, I&M will adjust plans to rebuild a high-voltage line from New Buffalo to Bridgman.
The reliability enhancement project would upgrade 21 miles of 69-kilovolt high voltage transmission line from New Buffalo to Bridgman, providing power to four local substations. A stronger transmission grid benefits customers who receive power from these substations including those in the Village of Three Oaks, Chikaming Township, Harbert and Shorewood Hills areas.
In the last five years, 20 outages have occurred in the area, sometimes leaving customers without service for extended periods of time. The majority of existing wooden poles date back to the1960s. Proactively replacing those wooden poles and wires with modern equipment, along with removing trees
near the transmission line improves reliability for customers and will reduce the need for frequent maintenance, lessen the likelihood of power outages and speed restoration if an outage occurs.
After reviewing community feedback, additional field studies, engineering, environmental and community impacts, the project team will adjust the plan to include:
- Building approximately 75-foot-tall steel or wooden poles along the route, about 10 feet shorter than originally planned.
- Acquiring or defining easements to approximately 40-feet-wide (about 20 feet on either side of the pole), rather than 60 feet as originally proposed.
- Offering reimbursement for removal of trees on private property within the proposed easement. New tree plantings are allowed outside of the easement area.
In partnership with local officials, I&M invites community members and landowners in the project area to attend one of two below question and answer forums.
- Monday, Oct. 9: Chikaming Township Center, 13535 Red Arrow Highway, Harbert, Mich.
- Tuesday, Oct. 10: Three Oaks Elementary School Gymnasium, 100 Oak Street, Three Oaks, Mich.
Both events begin at 6:30 p.m. EST, with doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Due to venue capacity limitations, the community is encouraged to attend the meetings virtually via Zoom. Both Zoom meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST. Attendees may join beginning at 6:15 p.m.
For Zoom details and website links, visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/NewBuffalo-Bridgman.
# # #
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 80% of its energy delivered in 2022 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 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.6 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 7,000 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2032. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 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:
Schnee Doyle
Communications Consultant Sr.
Cell: 574-218-5987
smdoyle@aep.com