Bixby Council To Discuss Plans To Fight PSO's Wind Catcher Project

The Bixby City Council has a special meeting to discuss the Wind Catcher program that could bring transmission lines into their community.

There are two items on the agenda for Monday night's special meeting. Both are related to fighting PSO's Wind Catcher project, which will transport wind energy across the state using transmission lines.

On Wind Catcher Energy's website, a map shows the proposed route ends south of Sperry, but an alternate route has the lines going through the west side of Bixby.

5/20/2018 Related Story: Four Oklahoma Utility Companies Give Support To PSO Wind Catcher Project

The Bixby city council could approve a plan to ask the Corporation Commission to dismiss PSO's application for preapproval of the project. The council could vote to hire an attorney to represent them in this area.

PSO released a statement saying:

"We understand infrastructure development is often controversial and while many landowners welcome the payments they'll receive, and on-going benefits to schools and the community, others have equally valid personal reasons for opposing development. However, this project is important for PSO customers and for our state. Customers, especially those who create jobs in the areas we serve, increasingly expect renewable energy and we have an obligation to deliver it at the lowest reasonable cost. We're extremely disappointed that the City took this action since we've worked closely with Bixby for many years on economic and community development and have always held them in high regard. In the meantime, we will continue to reach out to people in Bixby and surrounding area, work to address landowner concerns and respond to any and all questions about the line route."

The Special City Council meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m.