June 5, 2025
Weather permitting, Appalachian Power (APCo) will begin an aerial maintenance program this week. This program is necessary for maintaining the rights-of-way for some power lines in West Virginia, and it will be executed by applying herbicides via helicopter.
Lines scheduled for maintenance in West Virginia include Bright Coal Company Tap 46kV in Clay County. A transmission line on wood structures beginning at a tap off the Belva-Clendenin 46kV line, running west approximately one mile and ending at a dead end.
“The company generally makes aerial maintenance applications only in less populated areas where terrain and accessibility make it difficult for ground-based crews to safely clear rights of way,” said Christopher Hoffman, utility forester. Rights of way in populated areas, as well as near parks, ponds and other sensitive areas, are maintained by other means.
Herbicides used by AEP and Appalachian Power have been registered for use on rights-of-way by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDoA). Herbicides used are imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, fosamine, triclopyr, aminocyclopyrachlor and aminopyralid; the manufacturer, colleges and governmental and independent research laboratories have extensively tested each. Questions concerning these herbicides may be addressed to the EPA and the WVDoA.
As part of APCo’s commitment to safety, helicopter pilots conduct thorough visual checks of all areas to be treated in advance. This is to verify the location of any sensitive areas and ensure that people or domestic animals are not visible in the area to be maintained.
Right-of-way maintenance agreements between APCo and landowners are available to landowners who prefer to accept responsibility for clearing the right-of-way crossing their property instead of the company’s aerial application of herbicides. The agreement compensates the landowner by an amount equivalent to the cost of aerial herbicide application, provided the work meets APCo’s specifications.
Customers with questions about the company’s aerial maintenance program can call a toll-free number (1-800-642-3622) for information. Customers also can write for information at Appalachian Power, Attn: Transmission Forestry, 346 Raymond Peak Way, Hurricane, W.Va., 25526.
Residents who have questions about the program or who want to alert the company to the location of sensitive areas near power lines, such as springs, wells, streams, lakes, ponds, orchards, crop areas, gardens, pastures, meadows, year-round dwellings, public recreation areas and Christmas tree farms, should also contact the company. To ensure accurate reporting of the sensitive areas, provide the number of the nearest pole or tower. These numbers are posted on utility poles and one leg of utility towers.
After the maintenance program begins, 24-hour telephone service at the above number will provide information daily on locations scheduled for maintenance.
Complaints about possible damage resulting from herbicide applications should be made by contacting Appalachian Power at its toll-free number or the above address. Complaints also may be directed to the WVDoA, Pesticide Regulatory Programs Unit, which can be reached in Charleston at (304) 558-2209.