FRANKFORT, KY:  In order to improve electric service reliability and to meet growing electricity demand in Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky Power is proposing the construction of a new 138,000-volt electric transmission line in Knott and Perry counties. Prior to seeking regulatory approval, the company will be seeking public input and providing project information at two open meetings next month in Hindman and Hazard. Anyone interested in learning more about the project or offering comments is invited to attend.
 
The first meeting will take place at the Hindman Settlement School (in the May Stone Building), 111 Hindman Settlement Road, Hindman, Tues., Dec. 7, and the second in Hazard at the Hazard Hotel, 200 Dawahare Drive, Wed., Dec. 8. Both meetings begin at 5:30 PM and end at 8:00 PM.
 
"A new transmission line is vitally important for our area," said Mike Lasslo, manager of distribution and customer services for Kentucky Power’s Hazard District. "Once in service, the line will enhance reliability, ensure the integrity of our local electrical facilities and provide us more options for addressing power outages when they occur," he said.
 
During the meetings, attendees will learn about proposed paths, structures, right-of-way and other matters related to siting and building the line. Company engineers, right-of-way agents and other officials will be on hand to answer questions and gather public comments.
 
Pending all necessary government and regulatory approvals, the company proposes to start construction on the line in 2012 and complete it by the end of 2014.

The company envisions an approximately 24-mile line extending from its Soft Shell Substation north of the community of Soft Shell to its Bonnyman Substation north of Hazard. The line will be built on H-frame structures approximately 100 feet in height and within a 100-foot right-of-way.
 
"We hope the public will come out to learn more about our proposals and to provide their feedback. We have not decided on the best path of the power line, and our customers’ comments will go a long way in helping us decide the best track of the power line. Their input will help us design and build a line that will have as little impact on the public as possible."
 
More information about the project can be found on Kentucky Power’s web site at: www.kentuckypower.com/go/bonnyman.
 
Kentucky Power is an operating unit of American Electric Power and provides electricity to approximately 175,000 customers in all or parts of 20 eastern Kentucky counties.
 
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering 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. AEP’s transmission system directly or indirectly serves about 10 percent of the electricity demand in the Eastern Interconnection, the interconnected transmission system that covers 38 eastern and central U.S. states and eastern Canada, and approximately 11 percent of the electricity demand in ERCOT, the transmission system that covers much of Texas. AEP’s utility units operate as 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 and east Texas). AEP’s headquarters is in Columbus, Ohio.

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