PSO, Major Parties Seek Approval of North Central Energy Facilities Agreement

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Dec 10, 2019, 14:08 ET

TULSA, Okla., Dec. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) has reached a settlement agreement with the Public Utility Division Staff of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, customer groups and other parties on the Company's proposal to add 675 megawatts (MW) of wind energy to serve customers. The settlement agreement, filed today with the OCC, seeks approval of terms for PSO's purchase of the North Central Energy Facilities.

"This settlement agreement puts PSO a step closer to adding more low-cost Oklahoma wind energy to its portfolio," said Peggy Simmons, PSO president and chief operating officer. "We appreciate the collaboration among the parties to reach this settlement."

PSO's proposed North Central Energy Facilities plan includes the Company's partial ownership in three Oklahoma wind generation facilities located in seven counties in north central Oklahoma – Alfalfa, Blaine, Custer, Garfield, Kingfisher, Major and Woods. The three wind farms represent a nearly $2 billion investment in Oklahoma. PSO's 45.5% ownership share of the 1,485 MW total project is projected to save PSO customers over $1 billion, net of cost, during the time the wind farms are in service.

The settlement agreement is subject to final approval by regulators.

About the North Central Energy Facilities
The three new wind energy facilities that, together, comprise the North Central Energy Facilities will complement PSO's existing power resources, which include natural gas, wind, power purchases, and coal. The facilities will be jointly owned by PSO and its sister company, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), subject to regulatory approvals.

The new wind energy will come online in 2020 and 2021 and will add low-cost, renewable energy to PSO's system. PSO's share of the project investment is $908 million. The North Central Energy Facilities will create jobs in construction, operations and maintenance, while generating increased revenues for schools and infrastructure across the state. For more information, visit: https://www.psoklahoma.com/info/CleanEnergy/default.aspx

About PSO
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), is an electric utility company serving more than 554,000 customer accounts across 30,000 square miles in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. Based in Tulsa, PSO has nearly 3,800 megawatts of primarily gas-fired generating capacity, 22-thousand miles of distribution lines, 37-hundred miles of transmission lines, and is one of the largest distributors of wind energy in the state. News releases and other information about PSO is at www.PSOklahoma.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PSOklahoma.

SOURCE American Electric Power