FRANKFORT, KY -- American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP) will be conducting aerial patrols of its transmission power lines and facilities in parts of its Northeast Kentucky service area -- including Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Mason, Morgan, Robertson and Rowan Counties -- next week. The routine inspections are expected to begin March 12 and could last through April 23. The area is served in large part by AEP’s Kentucky Power operating unit.
 
AEP periodically performs aerial patrols by helicopter to inspect its power lines for damaged equipment and tree growth that may interfere with the reliability of its transmission system. The aerial patrols will be conducted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The helicopter(s), which flies at a speed of about 45 knots, typically makes one pass approximately 50 to 100 feet above the transmission lines.
 
The flight pattern and duration of the aerial inspections will be determined daily based primarily on weather conditions.
 
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s utility units operate as 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 Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006.