Lawmakers voice power-line unease

Members of the state’s congressional delegation met with Energy Secretary Rick Perry last week to voice concerns about the Plains and Eastern Clean Line energy project, which would carry power from windmills in Oklahoma to Tennessee and beyond, traversing Arkansas along the way.

The Energy Department gave the $2 billion project the green light in March 2016, despite objections from the lawmakers. In March of this year, the delegation wrote a letter urging Perry to block the project.

They argue that the department’s decision ignored the concerns of Arkansans and would “usurp states’ rights.”

In a written statement after the meeting, members of the delegation thanked Perry for hearing their concerns.

“We understand the Secretary inherited this agreement, which has all the hallmarks of the Obama administration’s excessive government overreach. While this problem was not caused by the Trump administration, Secretary Perry indicated that he is committed to a thorough review of how this project was allowed to advance. We stand ready to provide Secretary Perry with all the information needed to make appropriate decisions as the review process moves forward,” it concluded.

Officials with Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners say the project would be good for the economy and good for the environment, creating jobs and increasing access to renewable energy.

The line would carry 4,000 megawatts, enough power to supply 1 million homes, supporters say. A converter station in Pope County would enable up to 500 megawatts of the power to be delivered to Arkansas customers.