PSO Sues Railroad Over Tulsa Substation Expansion

Public Service Company of Oklahoma has filed an eminent domain lawsuit against Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in an effort to force the railroad to sell property in Tulsa.

PSO says the half-acre plot in the northwestern area of downtown Tulsa is needed for the expansion of its electric substation on West 1st Street between Denver and Cheyenne to meet future electricity demands of the area.

In its petition for condemnation, filed November 1, the utility says it has repeatedly tried to buy the land from BSNF, but the railroad has refused to sell.

The utility says it is exercising its right of eminent domain in order to buy the land.

BNSF spokesman Joe Faust says BNSF is evaluating the safety and operational aspects of having a large electrical substation near its operation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.