ROANOKE, Va., August 11, 2005  – A request for a special use permit to build an Appalachian Power substation in Franklin County is being withdrawn after the planning commission rejected the initial proposal. The company is working on an alternative station site that addresses public concerns. The $28 million Westlake Project reinforces the electrical system in one of the fastest growing areas of the company.

The county planning commission voted 7-0 to deny Appalachian’s initial proposal. The request proceeded to the board of supervisors, and in late July the board granted the company’s request to table the vote on the station site while the company refined its proposal. Citizens addressing the commission raised concern about the proposed station’s proximity to a residence, perceived impact on property values and visibility.

“We believe that we have identified a solution that addresses the concerns raised in the planning commission venue; however, it will take additional time to present the alternative,” said Terry Hall, community affairs manager. 

 Appalachian Power this week requested that the initial proposed station site be withdrawn, and the company will present information about an alternative site to the planning commission and board of supervisors at future meetings.
 
 “The need for this project is evident,” Hall said. “Eastern Franklin County’s electric demand has grown at a staggering 17 percent rate over the last three years.”
           
Appalachian’s Westlake Project consists of a 138-kilovolt (kV) electrical substation and associated power lines to connect the new station with a substation in Blaine, then at a later date, with Penhook Station. The first phase of the project is slated to be in operation by mid-2007.
           
Information about the project, including maps, fact sheets and construction examples are available on-line at http://www.appalachianpower.com/news/default.asp.           

Appalachian Power provides electricity to 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.  It is a unit of American Electric Power, the nation’s largest electricity generator.  AEP owns more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity and is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, with more than 5 million customers in 11 states.
                                                
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