WASHINGTON -- In a letter Tuesday, Arkansas' congressional delegation asked the Energy Department to extend by 60 days a comment period on a proposed power line across Arkansas.
If built, the Plains & Eastern Clean Line transmission line would transmit up to 3,500 megawatts of high-voltage, direct current electricity from a proposed wind farm in western Oklahoma through Arkansas to western Tennessee. Opponents have said the line would reduce property values, hurt tourism, interfere with waterfowl migration routes and pose possible health risks.
Supporters say the project would mean a half-billion-dollar investment in the state that would generate jobs and provide 500 megawatts of low-cost, clean energy to Arkansas electric customers.
The department has received 48 comments since April 28; 37 were in opposition. All 22 comments from Arkansans opposed the project. Unless the deadline is extended, comments can be sent until Friday to plainsand eastern@hq.doe.gov.
Metro on 06/11/2015