October 28th, 2011 - Today, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) issued an order that designates Plains and Eastern Clean Line Oklahoma LLC (Plains & Eastern Clean Line) a public utility in Oklahoma. We are very pleased with the Commission's order and are thankful to the OCC, staff and other parties for the extensive consideration they gave our application. Throughout the OCC process, Plains & Eastern Clean Line received substantial support from Oklahoma landowners, community leaders, legislators, and environmental groups. We appreciate the many people who have devoted time and effort to working with us. Oklahoma understands energy and continues to be a great place to invest in and grow new businesses. We are happy to be working with Governor Fallin and her administration to facilitate actions that extend and solidify Oklahoma's place as an energy leader.

"Clean Line’s project is another great example of Oklahoma’s strong legacy as an energy leader. Energy projects like the Plains & Eastern Clean Line are opportunities to develop Oklahoma’s resources, create jobs, and spur energy innovation. Enhanced electric transmission is a key ingredient of energy policy, and I am proud of Oklahoma’s leadership in pushing that forward."
---Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin

The OCC approval is a critical step in Plains & Eastern Clean Line’s efforts to connect 7,000 megawatts of clean energy from the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles and southwest Kansas to consumers across the Mid-South and Southeast regions. The project will bring billions of dollars of investment and significant public benefits including thousands of jobs, improved energy security, and cleaner air and water.

Developing infrastructure like the Plains & Eastern Clean Line is a long term undertaking. Clean Line is committed to a transparent process that will allow us to build a project that respects landowner rights, preserves important natural areas and strengthens local communities. We will continue to work with the OCC, as well as policymakers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee, national stakeholders, and local communities throughout the project area to achieve these goals. Construction is set to begin in 2014 and operation of the Plains & Eastern Clean Line could start as early as 2017. For more information about the order, please click here to read the press release.

“Oklahoma’s abundant wind resources provide the possibility of additional income from royalties for Oklahoma farmers, ranchers and other landowners. Good wages will be available from construction jobs as the power line is built, and more wages will be paid to Oklahomans for the permanent jobs needed to operate the line and its related facilities. All-in-all, the evidence in this case showed Clean Line will have an impact on our state surpassing $4 billion.”

---Oklahoma Corporation Commission Chair Dana Murphy