Prof. Klass Quoted in Energywire on U.S. Department of Energy Role in Clean Line Electric Transmission Project

Professor Klass was quoted in an article reporting on the U.S. Department of Energy’s role in partnering with a merchant transmission line company, Clean Line Energy Partners, to build a transmission line to transport wind energy from Oklahoma through Arkansas to Tennesee called the “Plains and Eastern Clean Line.” This is the first time the Department of Energy has used its authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to partner with a private company to build a transmission line. Clean Line sought the federal partnership after Arkansas regulators denied Clean Line’s request for a siting certificate to build the line through the state. The litigation that has followed will clarify the extent to which the Energy Policy Act of 2005 grants authority to the Department of Energy to override a state denial in these circumstances.