Energy Department begins regulatory review of Clean Line transmission project

The Energy Department on Friday published what's called a “notice of intent” for the Plains and Eastern Clean Line, a high-voltage, direct-current transmission line that would take energy from wind farms in the Oklahoma Panhandle to utilities in Tennessee and the southeast.

The notice in the Federal Register said the department will prepare an environmental-impact statement for the $2 billion project. The Energy Department plans a series of 12 public meetings in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee in January and February to gather public comments on the development.

Routes identified

Clean Line has identified several potential routes for the transmission line and proposed a study corridor from the Oklahoma Panhandle, through the state's northwestern section and continuing to the central part of eastern Oklahoma. The study corridor then continues across northern Arkansas to end near Memphis, Tenn.

The Energy Department will coordinate with other federal, state and tribal departments that regulate environmental, floodplain, wetlands and wildlife issues along the proposed study corridor. Clean Line is paying for the department's regulatory review.