Appalachian Power Secures Federal Funding to Support Reliable, Affordable Electric Service

CHARLESTON, W.Va. June 5, 2026 - Appalachian Power Company (APCo) has been selected to receive funding through the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) grant program to help strengthen reliability and support affordable electric service for customers. The funding will support upgrades at the Mitchell Plant as part of a federal effort to modernize the nation's existing coal-fired power plant fleet. The program is designed to improve efficiency, extend plant life and strengthen performance, benefits that help utilities continue delivering dependable, cost-effective service to the customers they serve.

The Mitchell Plant is a 1,560 megawatt (MW) facility in Moundsville, West Virginia, co-owned by Appalachian Power and Kentucky Power, both subsidiaries of American Electric Power. The companies applied for $51 million through the DOE to support installation of a new mechanical draft cooling tower and replace the nearly 60-year-old natural draft cooling tower currently in operation.

These upgrades will improve plant performance and support continued delivery of power to customers across the region.

For APCo customers, that means continued access to dependable power supported by existing infrastructure that serves both customers and the broader region. Investing in proven assets like the Mitchell Plant helps support grid reliability, strengthen energy security and reduce the need for more costly alternatives, helping keep customer affordability front and center.

"Our customers count on us every day to deliver power they can depend on at a price they can afford, and that responsibility is at the center of every investment we make," said Brian Abraham, APCo president and COO. "This grant will help us modernize the Mitchell Plant, strengthen reliability, reduce risks tied to aging equipment and continue providing the dependable, affordable service our customers deserve."