Appalachian Power announces proposed transmission line route for Glendale Area Improvements Project
Appalachian Power recently announced its proposed transmission line route for the Glendale Area Improvements Project in Carroll and Wythe counties, Virginia.
The project includes the construction of three miles of transmission line and a substation as well as the removal of an existing transmission line and substation. Appalachian Power will invest an estimated $40 million in the project.
The proposed route begins at a substation off Glendale Road in Galax and runs north, crossing Creekview Drive and eventually connecting to an existing transmission line.
The route was determined following a review of future land use, environmental impacts, and input gathered from property owners during a community open house in August.
“Information shared by landowners and community members at the open house guided our decision-making process,” Amanda Cox, external affairs manager for Appalachian Power, said. “The selected route will increase electric service reliability for our customers while minimizing impact on the environment and community.”
The project is a result of PJM Interconnection’s 2021 Winter Analysis and is designed to reduce the likelihood of power outages during high-demand periods.
“Appalachian Power has a responsibility to provide our customers with continued reliable electric service at an affordable price,” Cox said. “The work we are proposing bolsters our transmission system to handle customer power needs during extreme winter weather.”
The company said it would ask the Virginia State Corporation Commission to review and approve the project in December. Following approval, Emerald Energy, the right-of-way contractor representing Appalachian Power, will contact landowners along the line route.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2020 and continue until summer 2021. After completing construction, the company will remove the Cliffview Substation in Galax and retire 14 miles of transmission line in Carroll and Wythe counties. The project also includes removing a substation in Wythe County and upgrading substations in Carroll, Grayson, and Wythe counties.
