Effective July 31, 2026, Appalachian Power Company (APCo) is implementing the following changes to the issuance and amendment of Occupancy and Use Permits for structures located within the Smith Mountain Pumped Storage Project boundary (800-foot elevation contour at Smith Mountain Lake and 620-foot elevation contour at Leesville Lake):

Program Changes

• Permit Expiration Extension
  • Occupancy and Use Permits will now expire two (2) years from the date of issuance, rather than one (1) year.
• Discontinuation of Permit Expiration Extensions
  • Appalachian Power Company will no longer process Occupancy and Use Permit amendments for the purpose of extending permit expiration dates.

Important Information

• No requests for existing one (1) year Occupancy and Use Permit amendments to extend expiration dates will be accepted after December 31, 2026.
• Once a permit with a two-year term expires, permit holders must submit a new Occupancy and Use Permit application.
• All new applications must comply with the requirements of the Shoreline Management Plan that are in effect at the time the application is submitted.

Benefits of These Changes

These changes are intended to make the permit process more efficient and consistent while giving permit holders more time to complete approved projects. Extending the permit term to two years provides added flexibility for property owners and contractors who may face scheduling, weather or other project delays.

Discontinuing expiration-date amendments will also simplify administration, reduce processing requirements and allow Appalachian Power Company staff to focus on new applications, customer inquiries, compliance activities and responsible shoreline development.

Requiring a new application after a permit expires helps ensure proposed activities are reviewed under the most current Shoreline Management Plan requirements and supports continued stewardship of Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake.