subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Jul 04 2009 
Columns | Editorial |

Published: July 23, 2008 11:28 pm    print this story     

Property owners blown away by easements talk

Northwest Oklahoma landowners’ concerns about their rights regarding electric company easements to build new transmission lines for wind power illustrates an issue that likely will draw more debate in the future.

Wind energy is a hot topic right now, and more private companies and government officials are showing an increased interest in building wind farms to produce electrical power.

Wind energy is considered “green,” or environmentally friendly, which is popular with the general public in this time of rising energy prices.

While most people are for developing this kind of green energy, landowners who are being told the transmission lines will cut across their land or run near their homes suddenly aren’t so enthusiastic.

In Kingfisher this week, residents expressed concerns about their rights as far as easements go and also are worried about any negative health consequences of the transmissions lines being nearby. Kingfisher officials say the lines will scrap a plan to build a city airport. Piedmont officials say the route of the lines divides their city.

We expect this kind of community concern to be played out all across the country as more and more wind farms are developed.

Just this week, billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens testified before Congress the government should begin building “wind corridors” for transmissions lines for wind-generated power or provide the right of way on private land and extend tax credits so the private sector can build these lines.

With this kind of focus Pickens brings — plus the popular appeal overall of green energy — it won’t just be people in northwest Oklahoma affected by these lines, it will be landowners all across the United States. Burying the lines is a possibility, but could be cost prohibitive to ratepayers.

It appears to us there is a lot of work to do to identify these corridors and work with landowners in a way that is least disruptive to private property interests.

print this story     
Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.
Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.

Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Need Extra Money? Featured Coupons
Featured Advertisers

Premium Jobs

SUN LOAN ASSISTANT MGR--ENID
"Check Out What You're Missing!"
"I couldn't think of a better way to start the day than to be at a job that I lov...>MORE

Delivery/Warehouse
Must have good drivers license. Mon-Sat. Paid weekly. Apply in person at Garfield Furniture, 205 S. Grand.
No phon...>MORE

Great Plains Regional Medical Center
FT RN’s $7500 Bonus
LPN’s $5000 Bonus

Great Plains Regional’s & Elk City’s explosive growth means gre...>MORE

Bank Teller
RoseRock Bank is looking for a full time Teller. Experience is preferred but not required. Strong math and communication...>MORE

Feed Truck Driver
For local delivery. Need or be willing to get CDL license, farm background & good driving record. Please bring phone num...>MORE

$800 Sign On Bonus
Enid Senior Care is now hiring
CMAs & CNAs with $800. SignOn Bonus.
Contact Tammy or “Z” at 580-237-1973
...>MORE

Ross Health Care
Home Health - PRN
RN Field Nurse
LPN Field Nurse
Apply at 310 E. Garriott, Enid OK
Call 580-213-333...>MORE

Salt Fork Group Home in Nash, OK.
Part-time and Full-time help needed at
Salt Fork Group Home in Nash, OK.
For more information visit
ww...>MORE

Science & Mathematics Instructor
NOC in Enid is currently seeking a full-time, tenure-track instructor for the Science and Mathematics Division. Teaching...>MORE

Diesel Assistant...Autry Technology Center
To assist instructor in Diesel Technology program. High School Diploma or GED with career training or related job experi...>MORE

See all ads
More Premium Jobs!

Secretary...Autry Technology Center
Autry Technology Center seeks a Secretary
responsible for clerical duties supporting Business and Industry Services...>MORE

Child Nutrition Manager.Chisholm School
CHISHOLM PUBLIC SCHOOL
Accepting applications for: Child Nutrition Manager
Pick up application/mail resume to:...>MORE

I Need a Babysitter
Tues - Fri at 5:30pm-7pm & Sat 9am-7pm.
Call 278-6624...>MORE

Collision Repair...Autry Technology Center
Autry Technology Center Part - Time Teaching Assistant
needed to assist instructor in
Collision Repair Technol...>MORE

Field Technician
Oklahoma Environmental, Inc. is seeking a field technician. To be considered for this position, you must be detail-orien...>MORE

See all ads

bottombanner
Our Partners
Spry

Loading Calendar...
(requires Javascript)
© 2008, The Enid News & Eagle
P. O. Box 1192, Enid, OK 73702
Phone: 800-299-6397 Fax: 580-548-8147
Email news tips & feedback
rtj

 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index