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AEP Ohio announced the Piketon Area Improvements Project in April 2026. The project focuses on installation of two transmission lines impacting neighborhoods in Meigs, Jackson, Pike, Scioto and Lawrence counties, as well as extensive substation upgrades along each route.

Along with providing infrastructure to address energy service requirements for customers throughout the region, the project will deliver additional generation to the data center campus at the site of the former gaseous diffusion plant in Piketon, Ohio. Additional information on the entire project can be accessed online.

Both projects will need the regulatory approval of the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB). More information on the OPSB and its regulatory process can be accessed online.

Line 1 – Baku-Gavin 765 kV Transmission Line

AEP Ohio representatives plan to upgrade the power grid in Pike, Jackson and Gallia counties. The project involves:

• Building Baku Substation in Pike County off Wakefield Mound Road.
• Building about 50 miles of 765-kilovolt (kV) transmission line between Baku Substation and Gavin Substation, located in Cheshire near Highway 554.

AEP has submitted its permit for evaluation by the OPSB. Its Case Docket number is 26-0426-EL-BTX. Find additional information on Case Proceedings for this part of the project.

AEP anticipates building the new transmission line using steel lattice tower structures and estimates that the project would cost approximately $1.1 billion. The data center campus at Piketon has committed to paying for the transmission investments needed to serve the site to help avoid increases to transmission rates for Ohio ratepayers. 

Local Public Hearing scheduled for Oct. 27

Ohio Power Siting Board has scheduled a local public hearing concerning this part of the project.

Jackson High School Auditorium
500 Vaughn St, Jackson, Ohio

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m.

 Line 2 – Hanging Rock – Baku 765 kV Transmission Line

The Hanging Rock-Baku 765-kilovolt (kV) Transmission Line Project involves connecting the Hanging Rock Substation in Lawrence County and the proposed Baku Substation in Pike County by:

• Building approximately 33 miles of 765 kV transmission line.
• Rebuilding approximately 7 miles of existing 765 kV transmission line.
• Relocating and rebuilding approximately 3 miles of existing transmission line.

More information

Public ‘Open House’ Meetings scheduled

AEP has invited community stakeholders to public informational meetings to learn more about the proposed transmission line, talk with team members about the study corridors and share feedback. These sessions are OPSB sanctioned and are part of the official evaluation and community outreach process. Both meetings include the same information, so there is no need to attend more than one meeting. “Open Houses” are not formal presentations. The sessions allow you to arrive at any time during the event and talk directly with the company, their subcontractors and potentially OPSB Public Outreach Staff.

Open House sessions

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, 5 – 7 p.m.

Green High School Cafeteria, 4057 Gallia Pike, Franklin Furnace, OH 45629

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, 5 – 7 p.m.

Scioto County Fairgrounds, 1193 Fairground Road, Lucasville, OH 45648

OPSB Docket Information Service Available

Line 1 – Baku-Gavin 765 kV Transmission Line is far enough along in its permit proceedings that it has been assigned the OPSB Case Docket Number 26-0426-EL-BTX. As Line 2 – Hanging Rock -Baku 765 kV Transmission Line proceeds, it will be assigned an OPSB Case Docket Number, too. All case documents and public comments filed with the OPSB are a matter of public record.

Free DIS Subscription Service: Using an assigned docket number, community stakeholders can access this information. The following link takes you to the OPSB Docket information System (DIS).  Click on the blue “Launch” Button in the upper right corner of the page; this will take you to the DIS Menu. Look under the “On-Line Services and Information” section and click on the “Subscribe and E-File” listing: opsb.ohio.gov/rules/dis

At this point, you can create your own free subscription to follow case proceedings. When the system asks you to identify the case you want to monitor, use the OPSB Case Docket Number assigned to the project.