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On January 13, 2026, Appalachian Power was alerted by the West Virginia Department of Health to a potential environmental situation involving the East Lynn Substation near Wayne, West Virginia following reports of a sheen on the surface of Twelvepole Creek.
Team members were dispatched to inspect the site. They found evidence of vandalism including a security fence that had been cut, equipment had been damaged and a valve on a mineral oil holding tank had been opened. The opened valve resulted in mineral oil spilling onto the ground, eventually reaching the creek. Mineral oil is used to cool transformers.
Local law enforcement is investigating the vandalism and a reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
APCo's team took immediate action to begin cleanup of the area. A team of contractors specializing in this work has been onsite since. They have taken steps to prevent any additional material from reaching the creek and established several collection points along the creek. Clean up and remediation work is ongoing. A copy of our remediation plan is available here: (link to DEP's website).
The equipment and holding tank that released the mineral oil are still owned by the mining company that used to occupy the site. APCo's team has been taking proactive action to lead the clean up and prevent further damage to the community.
A "Do Not Consume" order was issued at the direction of the mayor on January 16. That order was rescinded on February 6.
Residents are advised to flush the water lines in their home. Information on properly flushing lines is available from the water department.
The West Virginia Department of Health has tested water samples from several points along the water system. To date, only one sample at one location has shown the presence of mineral oil. Additional sampling at this location a few days later did not detect mineral oil.
APCo employees are providing bottled drinking water and shower and laundry facilities are available for residents.
Shower and laundry facilities can be found at the following sites:
Water distribution sites for the Town of Wayne are available:
On January 30, 2026, a transformer failure at the Wyoming Station led to a mineral oil leak at the station. A nearby creek was impacted by the release. APCo’s team and specialized contractors have been onsite, cleaning up the mineral oil in and around the substation.
Determining how the material was able to leave the property and make its way to the creek will require further investigation.
The impacted area of the creek does not serve as a drinking water source for any public water systems. Containment areas have been constructed and environmental teams will remain on site until the remediation is complete. Containment areas are performing as expected. Any mineral oil visible in the containment areas will be removed. No material has been detected in R.D. Bailey Lake. The complete restoration plan will be available at (DEP website).
Currently, APCo environmental contractors are:
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