SWEPCO looks to buy up to 2,400 megawatts in wind, solar farms

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), a utility of Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power (AEP), wants to purchase up to 1,900 megawatts of wind resources and up to 500 megawatts of solar resources, according to a Thursday (Sept. 29) news release.

Wind resources must be at least 100 megawatts, and solar resources must be at least 50 megawatts. All projects must interconnect to the Southwest Power Pool and be located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas or Missouri.

According to the proposal request, the commercial operation for the solar and wind resources would be no later than Dec. 1, 2026, with a preference of being operational by Dec. 1, 2025. The projects would need regulatory approval in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. However, like in previous projects, if one state doesn’t approve the project, the other states could increase the amount of generation allotted for them, according to a presentation on the new proposal request.

Link here for more information on the proposal request.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/09/swepco-looks-to-buy-up-to-2400-megawatts-in-wind-solar-farms/

Energy bills to rise for SWEPCO customers in Arkansas

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Nearly 125,000 Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) customers in western Arkansas will soon see an increase in their energy bills. The utility company reported Wednesday (June 29) that the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) approved its rate request.

According to Shreveport, La.-based SWEPCO, the company’s western Arkansas customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) will see an increase of approximately $13.02 per month on their bill. The increase includes a 9.49% base rate increase, which makes up approximately $10.57 per month for an Arkansas residential customer using 1,000 kWh.

Base rates refer to the costs of building, maintaining and operating SWEPCO’s electric system, including power plants, transmission and distribution lines, and facilities to serve customers. Base rates do not include the fuel portion of the customer’s bill, which pays for fuel and purchased power and is passed through to customers with no profit to the company.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/06/energy-bills-to-rise-for-swepco-customers-in-arkansas/

Andrey Metelev

EPA Pressing for Cross-State Air Pollution Control Rule

By Jacqueline Froelich

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the Biden Administration, has renewed efforts — greatly curtailed during the Trump administration — to reduce harmful industrial ozone-forming emissions from industry, including coal-powered energy facilities. The non-profit Sierra Club, which works in Arkansas, supports the rule. But Southwestern Electric Power Company says its Flint Creek Power Plant in Gentry, Benton County operates with some of the lowest permitted emissions limits of any coal-fueled generating unit in the country.

https://www.kuaf.com/show/ozarks-at-large/2022-03-29/epa-pressing-for-cross-state-air-pollution-control-rule

Courtesy/SWEPCO

AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company’s aging H.W., Pirkey Coal Plant near Longview, Texas will be retired next year.

SWEPCO Customers Face Double-Digit Bill Increase in Arkansas

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), a utility of Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power (AEP), announced Friday (July 23) it will seek an $85 million request to increase customer rates. If approved, residential customers consuming 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would see a more than $11 monthly bill increase.

SWEPCO has submitted the request to the Arkansas Public Service Commission. According to a news release, the company looks to recover environmental and resiliency costs related to providing customers with cleaner and more reliable energy.

The $85 million request also includes recent investments in transmission and distribution facilities and reflects costs to operate and maintain equipment that delivers power to customers. It also establishes new tariffs for electric vehicles and lighting.

New SWEPCO Wind Farm in Oklahoma Powers Arkansas

By JACQUELINE FROELICH

A new wind farm in Oklahoma, owned by Southwestern Electric Power Company and sister utility, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, recently began to generate renewable electricity to SWEPCO customers in Arkansas. Two more additional wind facilities under construction will also go on-line in the near future. Peter Main, spokesperson for SWEPCO, details the North Central Energy Facilities project, in light of SWEPCO's clean energy goals.

https://www.kuaf.com/post/new-swepco-wind-farm-oklahoma-powers-arkansas

This wind turbine is part of the new Sundance wind facility recently completed in north central Oklahoma.

COURTESY / SWEPCO

SWEPCO to Seek Proposals for up to 3,550 Megawatts of Generating Capacity

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), a utility of Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power, looks to add up to 3,550 megawatts of electricity generating capacity to its energy portfolio by 2026. On Wednesday (April 28), SWEPCO submitted an informational filing that includes draft requests for proposals to add the capacity, largely comprising wind and solar resources.

SWEPCO’s filing with the Louisiana Public Service Commission follows the fall announcement to cease operations at two coal-fired plants and to upgrade another. The filing shows three draft requests for proposals “for renewable and economic generating capacity” for its customers. SWEPCO serves more than 543,000 customers in three states, including Arkansas.

Asked about the megawatt breakdown per state, SWEPCO spokesman Peter Main said that won’t be known until the resources are selected and the company files for regulatory approvals.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/swepco-to-seek-proposals-for-up-to-3550-megawatts-of-generating-capacity/