American Electric Power Company is planning to build 100 miles of transmission lines that would run through Nowata, Washington, Craig, and Owatta counties.
The company says the project would improve electric reliability in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.
On Thursday, PSO held an open house in Washington County so landowners could learn more about the plan.
Open House
The open house was an opportunity for landowners to learn more about AEP’s Northeast Oklahoma Transmission Enhancement Project and share any potential concerns they have.
“They’re really trying to get everybody’s input so they know what’s the best approach and avoid any obstacles,” said Robert Fitzsimmons.
PSO says this project will improve reliability for a major grid, the Southwest Power Pool, that covers a 14-state region. But this project isn’t finalized and doesn’t have an exact route yet.
“We’re still taking people’s input into account. And we want to work with these landowners and get them the best, best outcome,” said PSO spokesperson Matt Rahn.
Landowner’s thoughts
Robert Fitzsimmons has lived in Washington County for 50 years, and his property could be within the transmission line’s route. He says after the open house, he has no concerns.
“I’m pleased with the poles they’ll be putting in. It’s going to be as least disruptive as possible. They’re only about every 1000 foot each pole, it’s not a lot of poles,” said Fitzsimmons.
But one landowner in Craig County doesn’t want this project to happen.
“We’re wanting to say, hey, take a more responsible path, take existing right of ways that are already there, and use that to power these things,” said Greg Bryan.
Bryan is concerned about what this project could do to properties.
“It devalues it up to 25% just right out the gate. It impacts future generations that don’t have a say about it. Northeast Oklahoma doesn’t need that much power. It’s doing just fine,” said Bryan.
But PSO says this line would benefit more than just Oklahoma.
“So a lot of people may think this isn’t for them, but this improves reliability for our customers in the SPP region, which includes people right here in Northeast Oklahoma,” said Rahn.
What’s next
This project still has to get approval from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission before it can move forward.
Within 30 days of AEP filing its Certificate of Authority application with the OCC, it will publish a public notice of filing and upcoming public meetings. Within 60 days of filing, AEP will mail notices of the application filing to affected landowners, local officials, and oil and gas operators. Within 90 days of publishing public notice for the COA application filing, AEP will host public meetings in each county the line will go through.
The OCC is required to make a decision within 200 days of the application filing; if the OCC takes no action, the COA is automatically approved.
AEP says it hasn’t filed yet and says if it’s approved, construction would start in 2028.
