Payne County landowners push back on proposed electric transmission corridor

This week’s big story involves hundreds of attendees in multiple counties, collectively expressing their concerns regarding proposed high-voltage electric transmission corridors. I personally attended the Payne County Commissioner’s special meeting on Monday, where I engaged in conversations with some of the organizers who have effectively utilized social media and grassroots initiatives to raise awareness and foster opposition.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with area residents who have interacted with representatives of Cimarron Link, a separate energy transmission project that is scheduled to traverse Payne County, situated just south of Stillwater. While I am currently working on that story, I recommend reviewing the following stories for further information. 

Please note that these narratives pertain to the Delta-Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor, and it remains uncertain whether any of the actions taken by officials mentioned below will have any impact on Invenergy's Cimarron Link project.

Power Corridor Canceled

• Tulsa television station News 6 reports from a Creek County meeting where Oklahoma House Speaker-Designate Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) informed the audience that the Department of Energy informed him via phone call that the Delta-Plains corridor won’t be a possible national corridor. Hilbert also stated the DOE should announce this on Monday.
• The article attached to this broadcast report has a concise Q&A on the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor and helps explain the Southern Power Pool’s Integrated Transmission Planning Assessment Report. 

Feds’ effort collapses to build regional transmission line across Oklahoma

• OK Energy Today has confirmed with the U.S. Department of Energy the Delta-Plains corridor is no longer moving forward for designation and Phase 3 of the NIETC plan will be updated with detailed maps on Dec. 16, 2024.

Speaker elect fights regional transmission proposal called a “federal land grab”

• Jerry Bohen at OK Energy Today has details on House Concurrent Resolution 1001 from Rep. Kyle Hilbert that vows to take legislative action to prevent the federal energy corridor.

Gov. Stitt explores “unplugging” from Southwest Power Pool

• Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt mentioned “unplugging” Oklahoma from the Southwest Power Pool during a News 9 interview and introduced his new Energy and Environment Secretary, Jeff Starling, former general counsel at Devon Energy Corp.

👁️ Watch Scott Mitchell's full interview with Gov. Stitt
Skip to the 9 minute 30 second mark to hear the Governor talk about pulling back from SPP and defending property rights.