Right-of-Way Acquisition
Appalachian has two key philosophies that pertain to power line rights of way: 1) routes should cause the least disturbance to people and the environment, and 2) property owners should be fairly compensated for any land that must be acquired.

To achieve these objectives, routing analysis includes studying the land and proposing routes that reduce impacts on property owners.

When rights of way must be acquired, those estimated to be $10,000 or more in value are independently appraised, as required by Virginia state law.  The property owners are given the appraisal and a written offer from the company, which must be at least the value of the right of way (including the value of any damage to the residue) as determined by the company’s appraiser.

For rights of way under $10,000 in value, Appalachian reviews comparable property sales and tax assessments to help determine fair market value and any damages to the residue. The Company then makes the property owner a written offer and enters into negotiations for the right of way.  More than 95 percent of the time, the steps above result in an agreement with the landowner. However, in the few cases when agreement is not possible, the process of eminent domain is used to determine the amount Appalachian must pay for the right-of-way easement. In this case, the fair market value of the easement is determined in a court proceeding by a jury or, in limited circumstances, by the court itself.