The Oklahoma Corporation Commission meets Thursday to consider the request of Public Service Company of Oklahoma for approval of cost recovery of its $2 billion wind energy plan.
PSO, a subsidiary of AEP is acquiring three planned Oklahoma wind farms known as the North Central Energy Facilities.
One is the Sundance Wind farm near Alva. Developer Invenergy is planning on the 199 MW wind project that will provide enough sustainable energy to power 55,000 homes and serve American Electric Power customers. Construction is expected on the second quarter of this year.
A second is the Maverick Wind farm with operations based near Enid. The 288 MW wind farm will be in Garfield, Major and Kingfisher Counties and will provide energy to power 85,000 American homes as well as customers of AEP. Construction is anticipated this year with the farm becoming operational in 2021.
The third Invenergy wind farm is the Traverse project to be in western Oklahoma. The 999 MW project will be constructed in Custer and Blaine Counties,providing enough energy to power 300,000 homes as well as to customers of AEP. It is not only the largest of the three wind farms, but carries the highest price tag at $1.2 billion. It should be operational in 2021.
PSO has already reached a joint stipulation and settlement agreement with those involved including the State Attorney General, Kiowa Power Partners, Inc., ONETA Power LLC, Golden Spread Electric Cooperative Inc., Oklahoma Sustainability Network and the Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers group.
Commissioners could vote Thursday whether to agree on if there is a need for the selected wind facilities cost recovery. The agreement includes a stipulation that rates will be redetermined every three years.
Corporation Commissioners might also have a decision on the legal fight between OGE and Oklahoma Electric Cooperative. The Cooperative contends OGE is in violation of the Retail Electric Supplier Certified Territory Act by offering electrical power in the cooperative’s territory.
The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Jim Thorpe building at the state capitol complex.
