The Oklahoma Corporation Commission wrapped up several more hours of testimony Tuesday on the $4.5 billion dollar Wind Catcher wind farm proposed by the Public Service Company of Oklahoma.
No decision was reached as commissioners want to consider the latest arguments made for and against the massive project that is meant to supply wind-powered electricity to consumers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. The project has already been approved in Arkansas and Louisiana but Oklahoma regulators have an option of holding yet another hearing or receiving more legal filings in the case.
PSO is asking the commission in Oklahoma for preapproval to recover costs from ratepayers, something opposed by the Attorney General. If it wins approval, PSO would be allowed to recover an estimated $1.4 billion in costs to buy 30 percent of the 2,000 megawatt farm. PSO will co-own the farm along with its American Electric Power sister company.
Not only did a PSO regulatory vice president offer more testimony in support of Wind Catcher, but a witness presented by the Oklahoma Attorney General testified against the project and PSO settlements made with the Public Utility Division of the Corporation Commission.
Corporation Commission chairwoman Dana Murphy expressed her concerns of complaints from landowners along the 360-mile stretch of transmission lines from near Guymon in the Panhandle to near Tulsa. She suggested support for the landowners who complained how PSO’s land company has handled matters, and stated that it’s an issue that should be addressed by PSO.
Several more citizens were allowed to voice their feelings about the project.
Read how reporter Jack Money at The Oklahoman reported the last day of the hearing.