Relocate Proposed AEP 138kV Transmission Line

York Lindsey, Jeff Kinser and Todd Kinser, have farms on Route 61, Clear Fork, between Tazewell and Rocky Gap. Their properties currently have an AEP 765 kilovolt (kV) power line crossing their property which was constructed in 2003. The 765 kV lines are the largest in the US power grid.

Currently AEP is proposing a second power line, a 138 kV, to cross the same three farms. This line relocation is known as the Rich Mountain Relocation. With the addition of the new line, you will have an intersection of 23 electrical wires.

We oppose this upgrade in its entirety, but more specifically, we oppose the proposed routing as we understand that locating a 100-foot tower in this area, along with the 100-foot wide cleared right-of-way will create a very unsightly view of this section when traveling on Route 61.

In addition we believe this particular route will be very distracting and a safety hazard due to the multiple converging lines in the immediate vicinity of a sharp curve. We do not believe the 138 kV line should approach Route 61 coming south as currently proposed (please see “Attachment 1”), but should intersect with the 765kV line significantly north of Route 61, and then run parallel south with the current 765kV line on Jeff Kinser’s tract (“Attachment 2”). In addition, we oppose the use of V-Towers for the new line and would rather AEP use weathered-steel H-Towers instead as they are much more unobtrusive (please see attachment).

This petition is being made to the State Corporation Commission and we are seeking your support for AEP to relocate the proposed intersection of the new 138kV line with the current 765kV line to the north side of Clear Fork Creek Road onto Jeff Kinser’s land as can be seen in the photo marked as Attachment #2.

There will be a public hearing on Thursday, April 7, 2016, at 4pm at the Bland County Courthouse to discuss this issue. We urge you to attend, however, if you are unable to do so, we urge you to sign this petition if you agree with the proposed re-routing of the line per Attachment 2, as you realize the unsightly effect of construction on the currently-proposed route.

Convenience and saving money for AEP will have a detrimental effect on the beautiful mountain range and farmland resulting in a negative impact that will scar the beauty of our region for all current and future residents, for our children and for our grandchildren, for generations to come.