CHARLESTON, W.Va., – Beginning on or about June 1, Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), will maintain the rights of way for some power lines in West Virginia by applying herbicides by helicopter.
The company generally makes aerial maintenance applications only in less populated areas where terrain and accessibility make it difficult for ground-based crews to safely clear rights of way, said John Ertz, senior utility forester. Rights of way in populated areas, as well as near parks, ponds and other sensitive areas, are maintained by other means.
Customers with questions about the Appalachian Power’s aerial maintenance program can call a toll-free number, 1-800-642-3622, for information. Customers also can write for information at AEP, Bluefield District, 2507 Washington Street, Bluefield, WV 24701; or Charleston District, P.O. Box 1986, Charleston, WV 25327.
Herbicides used by AEP have been registered for use on rights of way by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDoA), Ertz said. Herbicides to be used are 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, glyphosate, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, fosamine, triclopyr, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid and picloram. Each has been extensively tested by the manufacturer, colleges and governmental and independent research laboratories.
Rigid EPA and WVDoA restrictions and regulations are carefully observed by AEP contractors in applying herbicides. All areas to be treated are visually checked by helicopter pilots in advance to verify the location of any sensitive areas and to ensure that people or domestic animals are not visible in the area to be maintained. All applications are made by contractors who are certified applicators. Questions concerning these herbicides may be addressed to the EPA and the WVDoA.
Right-of-way maintenance agreements between AEP and landowners are available to landowners who prefer to accept responsibility for clearing the right of way crossing their property in lieu of aerial application of herbicides.
The agreement compensates the landowner by an amount equivalent to the cost of aerial herbicide application, provided the work meets AEP’s specifications.
Residents who have questions about the program or who want to alert the company to the location of sensitive areas near power lines, such as springs, wells, streams, lakes, ponds, orchards, crop areas, gardens, pastures, meadows, year-round dwellings, public recreation areas and Christmas tree plantations, should also contact the company. To prevent any misunderstanding about the location of the sensitive areas being reported, the number of the nearest pole or tower should be provided. Numbers are posted on utility poles and on one leg of utility towers.
After the maintenance program begins, a 24-hour telephone service at the above number will provide information daily on locations scheduled for maintenance.
Complaints about possible damage resulting from herbicide applications should be made by contacting AEP at its toll-free number or the above addresses. Complaints also may be directed to the WVDoA, Pesticide Regulatory Programs Unit, which can be reached in Charleston at 304-558-2209.
Lines scheduled for maintenance in West Virginia include:
BOONE, KANAWHA, LINCOLN AND LOGAN COUNTIES
Boone-Cabin Creek 46kV – A transmission line on steel towers starting at the Boone substation off of Ashford Road near Ashford and running in an easterly direction. The transmission line passes the midpoint of Peytona, Bloomingrose and will be terminating near the point of Little Creek Road in Cabin Creek.
Boone-Ward Hollow 46kV – A transmission line on steel towers starting at the Boone substation off of Ashford Road near Ashford and running in a northerly direction. The transmission line passes the midpoint of Ashford and will be terminating near the point of Route 214 near Alum Creek.
Amos-Hopkins B 138 kV – A transmission line on steel towers starting at the Turner substation off of Route 25 in Institute and running in a southerly direction. The transmission line passes the midpoint of Turtle Creek and Mitchell Heights. The transmission line will be terminating near the point of Route 10 in Logan.
Hopkins-Logan B 138kV – A transmission line on steel towers starting at the Hopkins substation off of Route 85 near Danville and running in a southerly direction. The transmission line passes the midpoint of Upper Falls and Alum Creek. The transmission line will be terminating near the point of Route 85 near Danville.
Becco-Skin Fork 46kV – A transmission line on wooden poles starting at the Becco substation off of Buffalo Creek Road near Amherstdale and running in an easterly direction. The transmission line passes the midpoint of Lorado and will be terminating near the point of Route 85 at the Skin Fork substation.
Rensford-Campbells Creek – A distribution line on wood poles starting at Rensford station heading north to Point Lick Drive, then from Point Lick Drive northeast to Spruce Fork.
Rensford-Columbia Gas – A distribution line on wood poles starting at Rensford station heading east to Witchers Road, then south for ½ mile, then west to radio towers.
FAYETTE COUNTY
Kincaid T 117 69KV – Portions of a transmission line on wood and steel poles. Section 1 starting at the Kincaid substation near Kincaid and running in a southerly direction, passing near Wriston and terminating near Scarbro. Section 2, starting at the Tower 117 substation near Beauty Mountain and running southwesterly, crossing the New River and passing near Cunard, Brooklyn and terminating near Mindin.
Brackens Creek-Mount Nebo 34.5KV – A distribution line on wood poles going south from near Edmond, approximately 1 mile to a point near Nuttalburg.
Oak Hill-Gatewood 12KV – A distribution line on wood poles going east from Cunard, approximately 1 mile to a point near Sewell.
LINCOLN COUNTY
Stone Branch-Harts 34.5KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at the head of Big Branch heading west and stopping at Francis Creek.
LOGAN COUNTY
Culloden Wyoming 765KV – A portion of a transmission line on steel towers beginning at the state Route 17 crossing near Sharples, running southeasterly and terminating at the Spruce Fork Hollow crossing.
Stone Branch-Harts 34.5KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at the mouth of Stone Branch Hollow heading Southeast passing by Julia Ave. and stopping at Park and Ride at Chapmanville.
North Point-Pecks Mill 34.5KV – A distribution line starting at Chapmanville heading Southeast passing Rhonda drive, Fowler Branch and stopping at Phico.
Stone Branch-Big Creek 34.5KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at the head of Stone Branch Hollow heading east over hill and stopping at the head of Vickers branch.
Stone Branch-Chapmanville 12KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at Park and Ride heading North over the mountain and stopping at Kanawha Branch.
Chauncey-Chauncey 12KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at Chauncey heading south, passing the mouth of Cow Creek and stopping at Stirrat.
MERCER COUNTY
Bluefield S Princeton 138KV – A transmission line on wood poles starting at the West Virginia-Virginia state line at the Interstate 77 tunnel and running in an easterly direction to state Route 65 near Green Valley.
Minnix Mountain Wenonah Circuit – Starting at Minnix Mountain Substation, a distribution line running on wood pole structures heading north from the substation and crossing Route 10 then heading East paralleling Route 10 towards Matoaka. Starting at recloser on pole No. 37810006000079, single phase distribution line headed North West from Arista Mountain toward Wyoming County terminating on Goonie Otter Road.
MERCER AND MCDOWELL COUNTIES
South Princeton Switchback 138KV – A transmission line on steel towers starting at the Minnix Mountain substation near Montcalm, running in a westerly direction and terminating at the Switchback substation near Maybuery.
MCDOWELL COUNTY
Belcher Mountain Maitland Circuit – Starting at Belcher Mountain Substation near Welch, a distribution line running on wood pole structures heading southwest towards Route 52 paralleling Route 52 to where it terminates at a set of regulators on Carswell Hollow Road.
Carswell Eckman Circuit – Starting at Carswell Substation a distribution line running on wood pole structures heading south down Carswell Hollow then Paralleling Route 52 to where it crosses Route 52 in Eckman to a steel tower and terminates at the Dans Branch Prep plant.
Coalwood War Circuit – Starting at Coalwood Substation a distribution line running on steel towers and wood pole structures heading southeast and then paralleling Rt. 16. Crossing Shaft Hollow and heading South East down 212 to where it meets Route 16 at Dry Fork Road.
Jim Branch Switchback 138 KV – A transmission line on wood poles and steel towers starting at the Jim Branch substation near Coalwood and running in an easterly direction passing near Wilcoe, Thorpe and Pageton, terminating at the Switchback substation near Maybeury.
Baileysville Tazewell 138 KV – A transmission line on steel towers starting at the Switchback substation near Maybuery, running in a southwesterly direction passing near Anawalt and Jenkin Jones, terminating at the West Virginia-Virginia state line.
Gary-Gary 12KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting in Filbert heading south 3.5 miles passing Methodist Drive and stopping on Miracle Mountain.
MINGO COUNTY
Dingess-Dingess Distribution 12KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at the old Golf course on the East Fork of Twelve Pole heading Northwest passing the mouth of Mcloud Branch, Mare Branch, Aled and stopping at Andy Branch.
Borderland-Chattaroy Distribution 12KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at Falls Branch heading Northwest crossing the mouth of Chattaroy, Alley Branch, Barrett Hollow to the mouth of Brewer Hollow then turning North and stopping at Parker Fork of Millers Creek.
Borderland-Chattaroy Distribution 12KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at Fairview Addition heading south over hill to Rail Road Tunnel at West End of Williamson.
Borderland-Nolan Distribution 12KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at Nolan heading Northwest crossing Big Splint Hollow Millers Creek, then turning Northeast and stopping at Road Branch.
Cinderella-Vinson Street Distribution 12KV – A distribution line on wood poles starting at Valley View heading Northeast then turning Southwest and stopping at Liberty Street.
RALEIGH COUNTY
Bradley Hinton 138KV – A portion of a transmission line on steel towers starting at the Bradley substation near Bradley, running in a southeasterly direction, passing near Piney View, Bragg, and Irish Mountain, terminating at the New River near Barksdale.
Grandview Loop-Clifftop Tap 138KV – A portion of a transmission line on steel towers starting near Table Rock, WV and running in a westerly direction to the Clifftop substation on state Route 307 near Beaver.
RALEIGH AND WYOMING COUNTIES
Mullens Tams Mountain 46KV – A transmission line on wood poles starting at the Tams Mountain substation near Sophia and running in a southerly direction passing near Ury, Helen and terminating at the Mullens substation near Corrine.
Mullens Sophia 46KV – A transmission line on wood poles starting at the Mullens substation near Corrine and running in a northerly direction passing near Rhodell, Pickshin, Boyer, Sullivan, terminating at the Sophia substation near Sophia.
SUMMERS COUNTY AND MERCER COUNTIES
Kanawha Matt Funk 345KV – A portion of a transmission line on steel towers starting at the Bluestone River near True and running in a southeast direction passing near Pipestem, Hilltop, and Lovern, terminating at the West Virginia – Virginia state line.
WYOMING AND LOGAN COUNTIES
Logan Wyoming No. 1 138KV – A transmission line on steel towers starting at the Wyoming substation on Reedy Creek near Lynco and running in a northwesterly direction passing near Simon and Uno, terminating at the Huff Creek Substation near Huff Junction.
Logan Wyoming No. 2 138KV – A transmission line on steel towers starting at the Wyoming substation on Reedy Creek near Lynco, running in a westerly direction, passing near Coal Mountain, terminating at the state Route 80 crossing near Christian.
Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, which delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.