Federal law doesn't force a developer to hold off on construction until they have a 'no hazard' designation, but members of Oklahoma's Congressional delegation say that would be the right thing to do, and say it's sad that a company like NextEra, would take federal renewable energy tax credits with one hand and harm our national security with the other. 

General Oklahoma

NextEra is building more than 160 turbines, and many neighbors say they are do it illegally. “The law is very clear,” said attorney Kim Spady, who represents some neighbors from Hinton.

Legal Safety Oklahoma

Pending litigation over the property tax obligations of Rock Falls Wind Project in Grant and Kay counties could set dramatic new precedents and fundamentally change the way wind-energy projects are incentivized in Oklahoma.  

Legal Taxes & Subsidies Oklahoma

A Florida-based energy company continues to put up wind turbines in western Oklahoma, despite a request from the state to 'cease and desist.' The construction would seem to violate state law, and yet it's not at all clear if the law can be enforced, at least in this particular case.

General Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY - State leaders have formally notified Florida-based NextEra Energy that the company's recent construction of nearly two dozen wind turbines in Canadian County violates a new state law.

Legal Oklahoma

The actions of a Florida-based energy company are proving to be a test case for a new law intended to protect what many believe is Oklahoma's most valuable military asset -- air space. A News 9 investigation reveals the company, NextEra Energy, is putting up new wind turbines without the needed federal approval, in violation of a recently approved state law.

Legal Safety Oklahoma

There were legal problems with the project that conflicted with Oklahoma rules and law because the project hadn't been competitively bid and because work on it had started before PSO had filed its cost recovery request. State officials also questioned whether customers would financially benefit from the project during its 25-year life.

General Oklahoma

On Friday, American Electric Power and its subsidiary Public Service Company of Oklahoma announced that they have cancelled the Wind Catcher wind power project after a failed vote in Texas delivered a fatal blow. ...“So it’s over? It’s done? That is so wonderful. That’s excellent,” resident Marta Koenig said upon hearing the news. She learned that the line might cross her property and had attended the court hearing to learn what she could, even though she had learned that the line might not cross her property after all.

Zoning/Planning Oklahoma

Company remains focused on 5-7 percent earnings growth through investments to improve service for customers COLUMBUS, Ohio – American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) is canceling the Wind Catcher project as a result of the Public Utility Commission of Texas’ July 26 decision to deny approval of the project. The project had been approved by the Arkansas Public Service Commission, Louisiana Public Service Commission and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. A decision was pending at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

General Oklahoma Texas

Texas dealt a potential death blow to what would be the largest-ever U.S. wind farm: American Electric Power Co.’s $4.5 billion Wind Catcher project. ...“The costs are known,” DeAnn Walker, chairman of the Texas commission, said Thursday at a hearing. “But the benefits are based on a lot of assumptions that are questionable.”

Taxes & Subsidies Legal Oklahoma Texas

AEP's plan to build the largest wind farm in the United States might have been dealt a fatal blow. The Public Utility Commission of Texas voted Thursday to reject the proposed 2,000-megawatt Wind Catcher wind farm, stating that as it is structured now, the project doesn't offer clear enough benefits for rate payers.

Taxes & Subsidies Transmission Oklahoma Texas

AEP's original schedule called for the need to order the longest-lead-time equipment by Aug. 6. Through some negotiations, it has been able to delay those orders until the end of August, but the company can't afford to delay much longer, AEP CFO Brian Tierney told investors. It needs to make its timetables in order for developer Invenergy LLC to complete the wind farm by 2020.

General Oklahoma Texas

The 2,000 MW Wind Catcher Energy Connection project proposed by SWEPCO, a subsidiary of American Electric Power, came under scrutiny from the PUCT earlier this week as the regulators questioned the prudence of putting such a large investment on ratepayers, particularly with the inclusion of a $1.6 billion transmission line to move the energy from the wind farm.

General Oklahoma Texas

Regulators threw a wrench in American Electric Power’s massive Wind Catcher Energy Connection on Thursday, expressing concerns over whether the company will protect ratepayers from the project’s risks. ...“I’m going to be upfront with you,” [Public Utility Commission Chair DeAnn] Walker said ...“At this point, I can’t approve the [project].” Walker said she would need additional consumer protections from SWEPCO, which would own 70% of the $4.5 billion project.

General Oklahoma Texas

General Oklahoma

Many questions and responses centered on whether the project would benefit the utility's typical residential customer, especially during the last 15 years of the project's expected 25 year life. A big key to that, witnesses agreed, is where natural gas prices would be during that time.

General Oklahoma

A commission administrative law judge who considered PSO's proposal has recommended the commission deny the utility's request. The judge recommended denial because the utility did not seek competitive construction bids for the farm and because that work had started before PSO filed its request.

General Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is holding a hearing Monday concerning PSO's Wind Catcher project. The Corporation Commission says the meeting concerns proposed settlements and motions for PSO's Wind Catcher project. 

General Oklahoma

General Louisiana Oklahoma

The Bixby City Council withdrew its opposition to the Wind Catcher Energy Connection power line project Monday evening after Public Service Co. of Oklahoma presented an alternate plan to not only use existing right-of-way through the southern part of the town but to rebuild that route with smaller towers.

General Oklahoma