KENTUCKY POWER PLANS POWER GRID IMPROVEMENTS IN FLOYD COUNTY
ASHLAND, Ky., Nov. 1, 2022 – Kentucky Power officials plan upgrades to the electric transmission system in Floyd County and are hosting an in-person open house to share the proposed upgrades with the community.
The Middle Creek – Prestonsburg Transmission Line Rebuild Project involves building approximately 9 miles of 69-kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line between Middle Creek and Prestonsburg substations to replace a 46-kV transmission line that company representatives plan to retire.
The project allows crews to retire an aging power line that consists of wooden poles dating back to the 1940s. Plans for the new power line include installing new steel H-frame structures and lattice towers. The proposed upgrades strengthen the local electric system and increase service reliability for area customers. Building the new 69-kV power line prepares the electric system for growth in the area and allows crews to retire the existing transmission line that is difficult to maintain due to terrain.
The project begins at the Middle Creek Substation located off Kentucky State Highway 404 in David and continues northeast to the Prestonsburg Substation located on Webb Lane in Prestonsburg.
Landowners and community members are invited to an in-person open house to talk to project team members, review route options and provide input. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Jenny Wiley State Resort Park Wilkinson/Stumbo Convention Center at 419 Jenny Wiley Drive in Prestonsburg.
Community members who are not able to attend the open house may visit the virtual open house at KentuckyPower.com/MiddleCreek.Area landowners can expect to receive a packet in the mail that includes additional project details and a comment card they can return with their feedback.
Kentucky Power representatives plan to evaluate route options for the transmission line based on public input and feasibility. Landowner feedback is important as the project teams works to minimize impacts to the community and provide continued reliable electric service. The project team requests all feedback by Monday, December 5.
Company officials plan to file an application with the Kentucky Public Service Commission in spring 2023. If the project receives approval, company representatives expect construction to begin in spring 2024 and conclude late 2025.
Kentucky Power, with headquarters in Ashland, provides electric service to about 165,000 customers in all or part of 20 eastern Kentucky counties, including Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Rowan. Kentucky Power is an operating company in the American Electric Power system, one of the largest electric utilities in the U.S., delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system. AEP’s headquarters are in Columbus, Ohio.
