Murdock comments on feds scrapping plans for electric transmission corridor

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, on Friday celebrated the federal government’s decision to scrap plans for an energy transmission corridor through Oklahoma.

In light of news that the Delta Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor won’t move forward, Murdock said he stands with local landowners in opposition to federal land grabs. The proposed transmission corridor would have stretched across Oklahoma from the Panhandle to the state’s border with Arkansas.

“Yesterday the U.S. Department of Energy notified me and other Oklahoma leaders of its decision to eliminate consideration of the 645-mile electric transmission corridor that the federal government had proposed running from Oklahoma to Arkansas,” Murdock said. “This corridor threatened the private property rights of our Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, who made their voices heard. I am proud to have stood side by side in agreement with Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert, and countless Oklahomans in successfully fighting this federal overreach.”

Murdock also addressed some questions from constituents about the similar but unrelated Cimarron Link transmission project. He emphasized Cimarron Link is separate from the federal NIETC initiative, and that Oklahoma needs an abundance of power to attract cutting-edge industries to the state.

“There is a place for responsible energy infrastructure development, but it must benefit Oklahoma and balance the property rights of Oklahomans,” Murdock said. “I am also appreciative of efforts by Invenergy for encouraging the Department of Energy to withdraw the corridor designation in the area of its Cimarron Link project, a transmission line that will bring power produced in partnership with farmers and ranchers in the Oklahoma Panhandle to serve the energy needs of Oklahomans.”

The Cimarron Link project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs. Invenergy aims to invest millions of dollars in local communities while working with property owners to reach easement agreements that benefit both parties. Murdock said the company must also respect private landowners’ rights when constructing its transmission line.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Casey Murdock at 405-521-5626 or email Casey.Murdock@oksenate.gov.