HURRICANE, W.Va. (WCHS) — A utility line has scrapped proposed plans to add power lines through a popular Putnam County outdoor recreation area, officials said.
The Meeks Mountain Trail Alliance said in a statement Friday that American Electric Power has decided to find options for relocating an existing electric transmission line that won’t affect the popular recreation area.
The utility company announced its original plans in July 2024 and held public comment meetings in recent months. Following an “outpouring of support from the community and government officials,” the alliance said those plans changed.
“On behalf of the Meeks Mountain Trail Alliance, we extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported a re-route of the proposed transmission line. It has definitely made a difference,” the alliance’s statement said. “We also thank AEP for their professionalism and willingness to understand the detrimental impact of the original proposed route.”
In a news release from American Electric Power, the company said it will continue to review all route options that “avoid Meeks Mountain Trails.”
“Public involvement is a critical part of our line routing process. This process allowed our project team members to hear directly from landowners and community members about their specific concerns about their properties and the Meeks Mountain Trails,” George Porter, Appalachian Power spokesperson, said in the news release.
The company said it plans to hold open houses in the spring of 2025 to collect community input on modified route options for the transmission line.