CHARLESTON, W.Va., December 5, 2005 – Following nearly a year of successful operation in 13 West Virginia counties, Appalachian Power is expanding its electrical inspection program to cover more of its West Virginia service area. Effective Jan. 1, 2006, customers seeking new or upgraded electric service in Wayne, Lincoln, Logan and Mercer counties, and in the municipalities of Lester, Mabscott, Rhodell and Sophia in Raleigh County, must have their electrical connections inspected before the company will provide electric service.
 
The purpose of the inspection program is to promote the safe and efficient delivery of electricity. Under the program, new or upgraded residential services are inspected to the main breaker and manufactured homes are inspected to the service panel main breaker inside the home. The inspections ensure each installation meets National Electrical Code requirements, as well as Appalachian Power’s Guide for Electric Service and Meter Installations and the company’s Terms and Conditions of Service.
Only those customers seeking new or upgraded electric service in areas not covered by local governmental inspections are affected by the program. The company acknowledges local governmental inspections in areas where they are required, such as in much of Raleigh County.
 
In cases where the company’s inspection program applies, customers select an inspector from a list of authorized, independent inspection agents. Inspectors charge a per trip fee of not more than $85 to inspect the electrical installation and provide an inspection certificate.
 
The program has been in place and operating successfully since February 2005 in Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Mason, Monroe, Nicholas, Putnam, Roane and Summers counties.
 
Appalachian Power provides electricity to 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.  It is a unit of American Electric Power, the nation’s largest electricity generator.  AEP owns more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity and is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, with more than 5 million customers in 11 states.