People in northeastern Oklahoma have a chance to voice their opinions on a major electric‑grid project that would run roughly 100 miles through Green Country. The Northeast Oklahoma Transmission Enhancement Project, proposed by American Electric Power (AEP) – the parent company of Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) – is divided into a western and an eastern segment, crossing Washington, Nowata, Craig and Ottawa counties.

West Section Public Comment Session

The first public comment session focuses on the west segment, a 34‑mile line that would connect the Delaware Substation to the Kansas‑Oklahoma border. The meeting is being held at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in Oklahoma City, with a live Zoom option for remote participants. The commission has also scheduled a formal hearing on the west project for the upcoming Friday.

Project Purpose and Benefits

AEP says the transmission line is intended to improve electric‑grid reliability for customers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. By adding new high‑voltage capacity, the project aims to reduce congestion on existing lines, support future renewable‑energy integration and enhance overall system resilience during extreme weather events.

What Residents Can Expect

During the comment session, community members will hear a brief overview of the project’s scope, route and anticipated benefits. After the presentation, the floor will open for public remarks. Attendees may raise concerns about land use, environmental impact, property values or any other issues they feel are relevant. AEP representatives will be on hand to answer questions and provide additional technical details.

How to Participate

Anyone interested in speaking can register in advance through the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s website. The Zoom link is available on the commission’s public‑comment page, ensuring that even those unable to travel to Oklahoma City can join the discussion. Written comments may also be submitted via email or postal mail before the scheduled hearing.

Next Steps

Following the public comment session and the formal hearing on Friday, the commission will review all input before deciding whether to approve the west segment. If approved, the project will move forward to detailed engineering, land‑acquisition and construction phases. The east segment will undergo a similar public‑comment process at a later date.

Why This Matters to Local Families

Reliable electricity is a cornerstone of safe, thriving neighborhoods. By strengthening the grid, the project seeks to reduce the likelihood of outages that can disrupt schools, businesses and home life. At the same time, the public‑comment process ensures that families have a voice in how the line is sited and built, protecting property rights and preserving the rural character of Green Country.

For more information, visit the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s website or contact AEP’s community‑relations office.

Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.