AEP upgrading Findlay network

AEP Ohio is doing a $17 million upgrade of power lines and substations to support the Findlay area's electrical needs and reduce power outages. "A lot of the infrastructure in Findlay, most of it has reached its end of cycle," said Brian Recker, project outreach specialist for American Electric Power. "We have infrastructure that was originally built in the 1930s, 1920s, that sort of time frame. So it's just kind of upgrading and modernizing our transmission network for the area." Most of the upgrades are being made to improve service reliability to customers, he said. Some of the work will be completed in late 2022 and other parts will be completed in early to mid-2023. "The (new) infrastructure is more capable of withstanding more severe weather," Recker said. "It also helps pinpoint a lot faster certain outages, that sort of thing. So if there are any outages, they're either much less or prevented altogether." About 4 miles of power line will be rebuilt, including: • Existing power line between Putnam Street and Beech Avenue to the east is currently overhead but will be rebuilt underground. • Existing power line between Beech Avenue and County Road 180 to the southeast is currently overhead and will be rebuilt overhead. • Existing transmission line from Chase Road to Plaza Street to the north is currently overhead and will be rebuilt overhead. Another part of the project includes building about 2 miles of new power line between Findlay Substation, off Putnam Street, and Findlay Center Substation, off County Road 180. Just under 1 mile of new power line will be built underground between Putnam Street and Beech Avenue. About 1 mile of new power line will be built overhead between Beech Avenue and County Road 180. Wilin: 419-427-8413