You depend on us to keep the lights on, and we take that responsibility seriously. Our crews are out in your community every day working to improve your electric service. We’ve made great progress, but we know we have more work to do. Here’s an overview of what our teams did in 2024 and what they’re working on this year to keep your power flowing.
Overhead circuit and power line inspections
Our field personnel conduct a visual inspection of overhead equipment every five years. This program is designed to proactively spot and address issues before they create a safety issue or an outage.
- In 2024, our crews inspected 311 circuits and patrolled 7,834 miles of power lines.
- This year, they’re well on their way to inspecting 323 circuits covering 8,155 miles of power lines.
Underground equipment inspections
Our underground power lines are attached to aboveground equipment. Like with the overhead equipment, our teams examine the underground devices to proactively identify and address issues that could create a safety concern or affect the reliability of your electric service.
- Last year, our field personnel inspected 45,162 pieces of underground equipment.
- We’re inspecting 39,656 pieces of equipment this year.
Pole inspections and replacements
We inspect our wood poles every 10 years. The inspections may include performing maintenance treatment to extend each pole’s service life and reinforcing them if needed. Our crews also identify and replace poles that are damaged due to age, weather or insects.
- In 2024, we inspected 68,103 poles and replaced 1,588 across our service territory.
- For 2025, we’re inspecting 80,081 poles and anticipate replacing 1,111.
Tree trimming
With trees being a top cause of power outages, our forestry crews follow a four-year cycle to trim and remove trees and brush away from our power lines and equipment. Since we began this program, tree-related outages occurring inside the right-of-way have decreased by more than 90%.
- Last year, we trimmed and cleared along 8,625 miles of power lines.
- This year, we plan to cover 7,841 miles of power lines.
I do believe that clearing the trees along the power lines has helped tremendously to reduce the outages.
The address of 302 Walnut Street; Oakwood, OH 45873 has a power pole in the back yard/utility right-of-way that is very aged and decaying. It could probably use a replacement. It also has brush climbing the pole.
Hi Lowell. Thanks for letting us know. We’ve shared your message with the crews in your area and they are looking into this.
I called 2xs an then I told the guys trimming trees an also 1 guy that was looking at power lines( ( that’s 4 ppl) about the pole in the alley that’s cracked an split ! The 1 guy said yes that’s bad! Took a picture of it but nothing has been done about it! I hope it don’t fall over cause it’s got a transmitter on it! It will cause a fire or fall on 1 of our houses
I’m sorry for your issues in reporting this pole, Cheryl. Please send our Customer Solutions Center a direct message on Facebook or X, or give them a call at 800-672-2231 so they can pull up your account information and place a request for someone to come out and take a look.
MY TREES NEED TRIM IN MY BACK YARD 1789 SPINDLER OHIO 43026.
Thanks for letting us know, Michael. Our forestry team has reached out to you.
Thank you for your service.
Please check the lines tangled in trees behind 173 Kelly Ave Bellville Ohio. I can set on my porch during a rain and watch them spark once in a while. I live at 175 Kelly Ave. there has been multiple people stop by and look but nothing is ever done. Thank you.
Thanks for letting us know, John. Our crews have been out to take a look and get this remedied for you.
Thank you for your great service!
I just want to commend AEP on your efforts. I have owned a vacation property in the Burr Oak area for nearly 10 years. I have noticed a marked reduction in the number of power outages in the past two years. Since I can’t always be there to take action, I greatly appreciate your efforts to keep the power on and people’s property safe. Thank you!
Thank you for your hard work and getting the lights on as quickly as possible. I do wish my powerbill wasn’t 800 dollars but living in a trailer it is what it is. You guys work hard and do hard things! Keep it up
Thanks to all of you, your doing a great job and we are thankful! Be safe
If a customer has questions about their service bill, who can explain these many different line items that appear on it. well, I spoke to a service person. She mentioned a rate of .05 for KWH that she could save me on my monthly bill. She said AEP charges .07. Why the difference?
If my question seems like a duplicate, maybe I need further explanation from AEP
Hi Phyllis. Ohio is a choice state, meaning you can choose who provides your generation supply for electricity. To review providers, visit the PUCO’s Apples to Apples site to find one that works best for you.
I thank you for cutting my tree limbs off my tree, this means a lot to me. I am disable and on a fixed income and i appreciate any help i get from AEP. Thank you guys, you did a great job.
AEP has always been a part of my family. My dad and uncle worked in the Portsmouth office. Once they retired, two of my brothers joined and now two of my nephews. AEP employees work extremely hard and they put a lot of overtime in. I’d like to thank each and every employee for their hard work and dedication and for keeping the lights on.
This “By the Numbers” was a great update. It gives us customers a better idea of what AEP has to do annually. Thank you.