Virginia Awarded Up to $50 Million for Appalachian Power Transmission Line Rebuild

Roanoke Lynchburg, VA, October 16, 2026 —

Virginia has been awarded up to $50 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s SPARK initiative, with Appalachian Power set to use the grant for a transmission line rebuild in central Virginia.

The project, known as the New London-Otter transmission line rebuild, will affect Campbell and Bedford counties. The stated purpose is to enhance the region’s energy infrastructure. The information provided does not specify the route, the length of line involved or the number of customers or properties that may be affected.

The award is described as “up to” $50 million, rather than a confirmed final payment of that amount. Further details about how much funding will ultimately be disbursed were not provided. The available information also does not identify a project schedule, construction start date or expected completion date.

Appalachian Power is identified as the company that will use the grant for the rebuild. Details about the work planned along the line, the project’s permitting status and any review or approval process were not included in the announcement summary. No statements from state officials, the Department of Energy or the company were provided.

The funding links a federal energy initiative to a specific infrastructure project in Campbell and Bedford counties. However, the announcement summary does not describe the existing condition of the transmission line, explain what changes the rebuild will involve or provide estimates of its expected effects on reliability or service. Those details, along with the funding allocation and project timeline, remain unspecified.

Story summarized from the original created by Robert Westermann on www.wdbj7.com, see more information here.

Media gallery