The U.S. Department of Energy has released for public review and comment the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Plains & Eastern Clean Line transmission line project. The Draft EIS describes the project, its purpose, and assesses its potential environmental impacts. TAEBC member Clean Line Energy (Clean Line) is developing the Plains & Eastern Clean Line, an approximately 700-mile overhead high voltage direct current transmission line and associated facilities capable of delivering more than 3,500 megawatts from renewable energy generation facilities in the Oklahoma Panhandle region to customers in Arkansas, Tennessee and other areas in the Mid-South and Southeast.  The Draft EIS identifies the proposed location of the direct current transmission line and other project facilities, and provides analysis of the potential environmental effects at these locations as well as alternatives.

Clean Line developed the proposed route for the direct current transmission line using a multi-step process that minimizes adverse impacts. Over the past several years, Clean Line received input regarding routes and other project locations from thousands of stakeholders, including landowners, local leaders, agencies, and conservation organizations in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Prior to making a determination whether to participate in the proposed project, DOE, in consultation with the Southwestern Power Administration, must complete its evaluation of the proposed project, including reviewing the potential environmental impacts pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Other federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, are cooperating with DOE in the NEPA review.  DOE is accepting public comments on the Draft EIS and will hold public meetings in January and February of 2015.

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