OCC to Consider $260 Million AEP Transmission Line Project
A $260 million transmission line replacement project in southern Oklahoma will be the sole topic of a special meeting scheduled Monday by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC).
The meeting will focus on a proposal involving AEP Oklahoma Transmission Company to rebuild a large portion of existing electric transmission infrastructure serving parts of the region.
Special Meeting Scheduled by Corporation Commission
A $260 million transmission line replacement project for three counties in southern Oklahoma will be the sole topic of a special meeting on Monday by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
Commissioners say the 10 a.m. meeting on March 9 will concern the request of AEP Oklahoma Transmission company to rebuild 70 miles of existing 345 kV transmission line across Carter, Comanche and Stephens counties.
Project Timeline and Purpose
OK Transco, builder of the project, expects the electric transmission facility to be completed by the end of December 2029.
“The existing 345 kV transmission line needs to be rebuilt in order to address its condition and outage frequency,” stated AEP in its initial application with the Corporation Commission. “The rebuilt line will improve reliability, support increased load growth, and meet current engineering standards.”
Upgrades Planned for Transmission Infrastructure
The project not only incudes rebuilding the stretch of transmission line but necessary upgrades at an existing terminal station. It will also entail the replacement of the 40-year old wooden transmission poles which will be replaced with what are called Breakthrough Overhead Line Design lattice towers.
The towers, according to AEP offer several advantages such as improved structural integrity, longer lifespan and reduced maintenance needs.
New Tower Design to Improve Capacity
The eight-armed towers will use a crescent-shaped cross-arm towers will also result in lower structure heights, which will allow a more efficient use of space within the right-of-way.
Barrett A. Thomas, Transmission Line Engineer Manager for AEP in Tulsa explained in testimony last fall, “One of the key benefits of the BOLD lattice tower is its ability to deliver up to 160 percent of the power capacity of a typical 345-kV line. This enhanced capacity is crucial for meeting current and future energy demands while ensuring reliability and efficiency.”
AGENDA
Time, Day, and Date: 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 09, 2026
Place: Concourse Theater, Suite C50, Will Rogers Memorial
Office Building, 2401 North Lincoln Boulevard,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
AGENDA
The meeting is open to the public.
I A. Call to order
B. Announcement concerning public notice
C. Determination of quorum
II Public comment and a hearing on the merits before an ALJ in Case No. PUD2025-000069, In the Matter of the Application of AEP Oklahoma Transmission Company, Inc. for a Certificate of Authority Permitting it to Rebuild Electric Transmission Facilities
Located in Carter, Comanche, and Stephens Counties
III Adjournment