Kiamichi River Journey:
Gamblers, Money & the Feds - Part 3
Information on Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation (SEOPC ) proposed pump storage facility along the upper portion of the Kiamichi River in Pushmataha county is creating another “Tomlin Energy” crisis for the people relying solely on the Kiamichi River for their water.. The list of corporate interests ready to move forward with this project, a clean-energy facility using the Kiamichi River, is as intimidating as the idea of losing our water. If SEOPC is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), then SEOPC can possibility take water from the Kiamichi River water for power generation of electricity for Texas. Step one, FERC licensing approval.
The Gamblers:
A “Who's Who” of U.S energy corporations with ties to global energy development throughout the world, these “gamblers” involved give insight to the size and scope of this Push county hydroelectric project. Each corporation investing their knowledge and experience by designing, engineering, administrative, financial, security, regulation, construction. These U.S.-global corporations are a significant risk to Push county in this high-stakes game of securing property, filing for permits to take the water, use the water on site in Push county, then, send the generated power outof-state for sale by Texas. This consortium of energy corporations are gambling on the rural insecurities of Push. county and the people who live here. SEOPC, along with U.S.-global ties to hydro-power, is gambling on this project for hydro-power, and is coming for our water.
The Money:
Letters to Push landowners, in the specific areas of the chosen build-out sites for this project, were sent letters asking to sell their land for the project by Aquarian Capitol out of Plano Texas. After investigating the number of corporations working to get this project through the FERC licensing process, it became clear that many corporations will be investing heavily to bring this project to fruition. The money funded, by each, gambling on the finalization of this process to get the water, build the facilities and enhance Texas and their power grid. Financially, the people of Push county have little chance to fight this project if you look at all the companies who are investing in this SEOPC project. Can the people of Push county challenge with protections granted to us by Oklahoma water law and environmental laws by the Federal Government?
Who will advocate for the people of Push. County?