Public utilities, such as American Electric Power “AEP,” have the power to take privately owned property from the property owner through a process known as “eminent domain.” The right of eminent domain exists when the property taken is to be used for a public purpose or need.
AEP plans to build a new $11.2 million, 138 kilovolt transmission substation in Hancock County. The “Ebersole Station” would be constructed on 67 acres in Cass Township near the intersection of Township Road 238 and County Road 216, approximately 1.7 miles northeast of Findlay, Ohio. The proposed site is currently an active agricultural field.
AEP conducted a public open house on July 11, 2013 preparatory to filing its application with the Ohio Power Siting Board. The siting board determines whether the proposed project should be approved. AEP hopes receive the board’s approval in October or November of 2013 and begin construction of the substation in the summer of 2014.
The Ohio eminent domain attorneys at Clark, Perdue & List are dedicated to protecting the rights consumers, including property owners who face losing property to government appropriation.