Patrick County asks for survey and visuals, tables Appalachian Power easement request
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Summary
The board deferred action on three Appalachian Power distribution easements tied to a new Mayer River substation, asking for pole maps and a site survey after residents raised concerns about the county rail trail and property impacts.
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted to table three distribution easements requested by Appalachian Power (AEP) for work tied to a new Mayo/Mayer River Station and related distribution-line relocations.
Representatives said the project will retire the existing Stewart Station, upgrade circuits and build a new Mayer River Station. Bailey Mann of OR Cohen, speaking on behalf of Appalachian Power, described the distribution ties that require rights-of-way across parcels north of the AEP‑owned site and said the proposed overhead easement corridor would be 40 feet wide (20 feet for the ground portion). Mann said the work is intended to reduce flicker and brownouts and to improve maintenance and outage restoration.
Several board members and residents expressed concern about the proposed route where it crosses the county rail trail and proximity to planned development, including an apartment complex and EDA property. AEP representatives said the easements under discussion are for distribution tie‑ins only, not the larger transmission structures, and offered to mark pole locations and provide engineering visuals. Trent Overton, who manages right‑of‑way for the transmission side (OR Golden, on behalf of AEP), said a survey crew and engineering design with pole locations and structure examples could be provided.
Supervisor Kendrick moved to table the easement requests pending a site walk/survey and clearer visuals; Supervisor Marshall seconded. The motion passed unanimously (Marshall, Kendrick, Perry, Overby and the chair all voted aye).
Why it matters: the project supports upgrades that AEP says are needed to serve future development along Commerce Street and to improve outage response, but the route and above‑ground structures could affect the rail trail and nearby properties. The board asked for on‑site marking and engineering drawings before granting easements.
What’s next: AEP will coordinate with county staff on a survey, pole‑location markings and an engineering walk‑through for supervisors and the Economic Development Authority before the board takes further action.