Transmission and Distribution
AEP owns nearly 40,000 circuit miles of transmission lines and more than 200,000 miles of distribution lines to serve its five million customers across the 11 states it serves. The company works actively to ensure the safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operation of its transmission and distribution system.

Pesticides
To provide reliable electric service, AEP controls vegetation within its power line rights-of-way with a combination of chemical, biological and mechanical clearing techniques. AEP minimizes the amount of active ingredient of herbicides applied per acre and is a charter member of the U.S EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program.

Spills
The vast majority of releases or spills associated with delivering electricity are caused by external forces such as unexpected equipment failures, storm damage, vehicle accidents or acts of vandalism. The company has constructed containment structures around many storage tanks and large electrical transformers, removed and replaced underground storage tanks and trained employees to prevent spills from occurring and to recognize, contain and clean up spills when they occur. Each reported release undergoes review by the source facility. If the cause was procedural or related to equipment failure, changes are made in the process or the equipment is repaired or replaced.