Utilities

House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert today applauds the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) confirmation that the proposed Delta-Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC) will not proceed in its designation process. This decision marks a significant victory for Oklahoma communities and reinforces the power of grassroots advocacy and local input. “This announcement is a testament to the voices of Oklahomans who stood together to defend their land, livelihoods and local autonomy,” said Speaker-Elect Hilbert, R-Bristow. “The proposed transmission line would have imposed an unnecessary burden on our communities without clear local benefits, and we are pleased that the Department of Energy has recognized the concerns raised by our citizens.” The DOE confirmed the decision in a statement from Kristen Nawoj, spokesperson for the Grid Deployment Office, noting that the Delta-Plains NIETC would not advance into the next phase of the designation process. The DOE also announced plans to release updated maps and details for other proposed NIETCs the week of December 16, as well as to invite further public input. “Oklahoma has always been a leader in energy production and innovation, but we firmly believe that development must respect our communities and their voices,” said Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa. “While we are encouraged by this outcome, we remain committed to working with our federal partners to ensure that Oklahoma’s interests are respected in any future energy infrastructure decisions.” The proposed Delta-Plains NIETC had drawn widespread controversy from landowners, who raised concerns about its potential impact on property rights. "We will continue to monitor developments and advocate for policies that align with our state’s values and priorities," said Hilbert.

Oklahoma House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert filed House Concurrent Resolution 1001 today, which vows to take all legislative action available to prevent the establishment of an eighteen-mile wide federal energy corridor in Oklahoma. There is a town hall tonight at 6 p.m. at the Creek County Fairgrounds to discuss the proposed 18-mile-wide corridor, which could authorize the confiscation of private property to locate high voltage electric transmission lines via eminent domain. "The people of Oklahoma will not stand for private landowners being forced to surrender their property through federal condemnation," said Speaker-Elect Hilbert, R-Bristow. "There are state processes in place to get community input and engagement on pending projects of this nature and I urge anyone in the path of this proposed corridor to come and let their voices be heard tonight on this issue." Speaker Hilbert said he is committed to fighting against this NIETC designation and appreciates the support of his House and Senate colleagues who have already signed on as co-authors of the measure. "Everyone in Oklahoma should be concerned by this federal land grab attempt if the NIETC designation is granted," said Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow. "We stand ready to do all we can at the Legislature to stop it and look forward to working with a DOE under President-Elect Trump, who will better understand and respect private property rights while pushing American energy independence." "Oklahoma's eminent domain laws and regulations provide a level of protection to the landowner that is non-existent at the federal level," said Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene. "This also has the ability to hurt our local utility providers who fall under the regulation of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission while these NIETCs will be able to circumvent local rules and regulations, which is unacceptable." The HCR, which was filed in the House today, will be co-sponsored by Sen. Grant Green in the Senate and will be considered when the 60th Legislature meets starting in February.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed legislation to implement free market principles and assert states' rights in high-voltage transmission construction and ownership. Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton, authored House Bill 4097, which would give Oklahoma the right to decide how critical transmission infrastructure located within the state would be owned and maintained. "I sat through hundreds of hours of meetings to help Oklahomans who are living on a fixed income or struggling to make ends meet," Caldwell said. "We all know how unpredictable utility bills are, and our constituents are paying more and more every month. Legislators should jump at every opportunity to lower customer costs, especially one that creates the optimal balance of free market principles and states' rights." HB4097 expands the pool of potential qualified transmission developers who could enter the competitive bidding process, resulting in lower building costs that are ultimately passed onto consumers. "Under this new policy, the state would oversee the competitive process and associated rate recovery, clawing back oversight from the federal government," Caldwell said. "Stakeholders overwhelmingly said they have more success advocating for ratepayers at the OCC than in Washington, D.C. Returning the authority to the elected Oklahoma Corporation Commission ensures Oklahomans have a voice." HB4097 eliminates a patchwork grid of accountability by closing regulatory loopholes created by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that allow unregulated entities to own transmission in our state with no accountability or oversight. The state would maintain greater accountability over critical transmission infrastructure costs and safeguard reliability by requiring the state's local electric companies to continue to answer to the elected Oklahoma Corporation Commission. "The Obama Administration forced this policy change on Oklahomans, and utility prices have been rising ever since," Caldwell said. "By cutting federal government red tape, we can increase competition on the front end, which will naturally reduce the rising rates we are experiencing." Caldwell said this policy is a first-of-its-kind in the nation for competitive transmission, but it follows a similar generation model that already exists. The measure, which is not retroactive, would take effect Nov. 1, 2024. HB4097 passed the House 65 – 29 and is now available for consideration in the Senate, where it is carried by Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle.