Indiana Michigan Power Plans $84 Million Power Grid Upgrade In South Muncie

The Southern Muncie Area Improvements project involves upgrading about 3 miles of electric transmission line, building a new substation and upgrading several area substations in Delaware County. Aging wood poles will also be replaced with steel monopoles. (Pictured.) Photo providedThe Southern Muncie Area Improvements project involves upgrading about 3 miles of electric transmission line, building a new substation and upgrading several area substations in Delaware County. Aging wood poles will also be replaced with steel monopoles. (Pictured.) Photo provided

By: Schnee Garrett—

Fort Wayne, IN– Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) plans an approximate $84 million investment to upgrade the electric transmission network serving customers in Delaware County in eastern Indiana.

The Southern Muncie Area Improvements Project involves:

  • Upgrading about 3 miles of 34.5-kilovolt (kV) power line to 69-kV standards
  • Expanding several localsubstations
  • Building the new Fuson Substation in the commercial park north of West Fuson Road

The improvements ensure electric reliability for I&M customers and support economic development.

The company plans to rebuild some sections of the power line in its existing right-of-way. Other sections of the project may include re-routes and require new easements.

I&M invites community members and landowners to learn more about the project at an upcoming open house. The public event will take place on Thursday, April 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Muncie Central High School Student Center, located at 801 N. Walnut St. in Muncie.

There is no formal presentation, so attendees can arrive at any time to review maps and talk with project representatives. I&M values the opportunity to educate customers on the project.

Construction begins in Summer 2020 and concludes late 2022. For more information, including detailed project area maps, visit IndianaMichiganPower.com/SouthernMuncie.

 

About Indiana Michigan Power (I&M)

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its 2,450 employees serve more than 593,900 customers. More than half of its generation is emission-free, including 2,278 MW of nuclear generationin Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 15 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,600 MW of coal-fueled generation inIndiana.

About American Electric Power

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,200 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern

About Electric Power Company

Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide.