by Gus Blackwell, Rep.-61
Speaker Pro-Tempore
Two weeks ago the Energy Committee had an interim study on transmission lines. This was a study that I authored to look at options in building transmission lines in Oklahoma. The main problem that we were studying was how to get auxiliary transmissions lines to the substation in Guymon once the Extra High Voltage (EHV) transmission line was built.
Specifically we were looking at two problems. One was continuing to build EHV lines in Cimarron County. Right now the SPP has not adopted plans to continue a line to the Boise City area. This county has the highest wind potential for wind generation in the state. It is imperative that we are able to get this line built quickly
The second problem is building auxiliary lines from other counties in the Panhandle to the substation in Guymon. These collector lines would be needed to move energy from several wind farms into the power grid. The model adopted to solve these problems will be available to help on other parts of the state also.
The demand for transmission and generation capacity is huge. One group estimates that the U.S. will need to double its capacity in generation and transmission lines in the next eight years. The investment by OG&E to serve this region is about $750 million dollars. The cost of the auxiliary lines will bring that figure closer to $1 billion dollars. The cost of the wind farms projected for this area brings that total to almost $10 billion dollars.
That is an unbelievable amount of money coming back to this area from downstate. For once, those in Oklahoma City are paying the price for progress in the Panhandle area.
OG&E made the first presentation and detailed the progress of the lines that they are building from Oklahoma City to Guymon. They have already started on the 345 KV line from Oklahoma City to Woodward.
The 765 KV line they are building from Woodward to Guymon will have the capacity of six 345 lines. Instead of using 900 feet of right of way for that many smaller lines, the larger line will only use 200 feet. The Guymon interconnect is also projected to be the largest in terms of power in the Southwest Power Pool.
ITC made the second presentation. They are an independent transmission line company and the only one of their type in the country. They have built lines in Kansas and Texas.
The third presentation was made by a group from Kansas called the Kansas Electric & Transmission Authority. They presented how their state has organized to insure transmission is available throughout the state.
Next session we will work on the problem of continuing the development of transmission lines and wind farm development in this area. I will continue to keep you informed about development in this area.
