Landowners in North-Central Oklahoma Protest Proposed Energy Corridors
Stillwater, OK – Concerns are mounting among landowners in north-central Oklahoma over a federally proposed energy project that could establish transmission corridors across the northern part of the state. This initiative, introduced by the Biden Administration, aims to create National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors stretching from the Oklahoma panhandle to Fort Smith, Arkansas, as part of a broader plan to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2035.
Gathering on November 4 in Stillwater, local officials, lawmakers, and several hundred residents voiced strong opposition, primarily due to fears of eminent domain and the implications of large-scale energy developments, including wind and solar farms. Rebecca Bostian Parrack, a Stillwater and Tulsa resident, founded the "Payne County SOS" group after discovering the federal plans affecting her family land. With nearly 900 members on Facebook, the organization is actively rallying opposition against corridor constructions.
At the meeting, state officials expressed alarm over the government’s approach, emphasizing the need for broader consultation with affected communities before moving forward. Among the proposed corridors are the Midwest-Plains and Plains-Southwest routes, which could significantly impact rural landscapes.
State Sen. Chuck Hall articulated concerns regarding federal preemption and eminent domain tactics, indicating a lack of awareness among legislators about these developments. Jim Shaw, a newly elected representative, echoed these sentiments, stressing the threat to Oklahoma’s rural character.
On November 11, the Payne County Board of Commissioners formalized their opposition, asserting that land use planning should remain within state jurisdiction. They called for federal agencies to work collaboratively with local governments, ensuring that any new land acquisitions respect the jurisdiction of the county and state law.
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