SHREVEPORT, La., -- Last week, the Arkansas Public Service Commission reopened the proceedings regarding a 345,000-volt transmission line proposed by Southwestern Electric Power Co., a subsidiary of American Electric Power. The line is planned to assure future reliability of the electric transmission system serving the northern Arkansas and southern Missouri region.
"Our continuing interest and responsibility is providing a reliable flow of electricity to utilities and their customers across the region," said Venita McCellon-Allen, SWEPCO president and chief operating officer. "It is important that we do so in a manner that strikes a balance between the need for improving electric reliability and respecting people's property and the environment."
In consultation with the Southwest Power Pool, the Regional Transmission Organization responsible for a reliable transmission system for parts of Arkansas, Missouri and seven other states, SWEPCO plans to present the additional evidence the APSC has requested. SPP determined that upgrades are needed to address system overloads and to improve long-term reliability for the region. As a result of that finding, SPP issued a Notification to Construct directing SWEPCO and AEP to build a 345-kV line to reinforce the regional transmission grid.
In January, APSC issued orders authorizing SWEPCO to construct the Arkansas portion of those facilities along a 56-mile route, with segments in Arkansas and Missouri, connecting the Shipe Road Station near Centerton in Benton County with a new Kings River Station near Berryville in Carroll County. In response to intervenors' requests, including SWEPCO's request for a limited rehearing, the APSC called for additional evidence on proposed transmission line routing and need for the facilities.
"The Commission's decision to review routing of the line offers an opportunity to address areas of concern about location of transmission facilities. Identifying a reasonable route for a transmission line in this region is challenging, given the I-540/I-49 corridor, Beaver Lake and numerous communities and special places across the Ozarks. We will continue to seek an appropriate balance in the location of any transmission facilities," McCellon-Allen said. "As we continue with these proceedings, we will keep landowners, public officials and other stakeholders informed about the project."
SWEPCO filed its application with the APSC on April 3, 2013, in Docket No. 13-041-U. Public comment hearings were held in Eureka Springs and Rogers in July, and a week-long evidentiary hearing was held in August. The administrative law judge's orders were issued Jan. 17 and 21, 2014, and became a final order of the APSC on Feb. 16. Petitions for rehearing were filed in March.
A separate order will be issued by the APSC setting a procedural schedule for additional testimony and hearings.
Additional information for the project can be found at AEPtransmission.com/Ozarks.
General News on 06/18/2014