The Hugo-to-Valliant Project is an approximately 18-mile, 345,000 volt (345kV) transmission line from a new substation located at the Hugo power plant west of Fort Towson, Oklahoma, to an existing substation southeast of Valliant. It is part of a larger transmission line project being implemented to reduce system congestion, provide more efficient and costeffective transmission of energy and increase access to a broader range of generation resources.
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WHY IS THIS LINE NEEDED?
The lack of high-voltage electrical transmission in southeastern Oklahoma causes grid congestion and does not allow power to flow in the most efficient manner. The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) identified the Hugo-to-Valliant transmission line as a project that would ease congestion across the transmission network and bring significant economic and reliability benefits to Oklahoma and the regional grid. Because high-voltage (345kV) lines are inherently more efficient, this project will reduce losses and ease congestion on the existing 138 kV lines in the region, allowing more efficient dispatch of generation. This line is critical to improving the reliability of the regional power grid and supporting the national effort to create a stronger, more robust transmission network.
WHAT IS THE LINE ROUTE?
The route runs southeast from the Hugo power plant to a point south of Raymond Gary State Park, where it turns east and for the most part runs parallel to an existing transmission right of way to the Valliant substation. For a detailed map of the route, go to www.itcgreatplains.com/1_whyoklahoma.html.
WHAT WILL THE LINE LOOK LIKE?
The line is expected to be built primarily with single tubular-steel poles (monopoles) in order to minimize the impact on land use. The height of the structures will vary based on terrain, clearances to the ground, objects under the line and structure spacing, but will typically range between 100 and 150 feet. The span lengths between structures will be approximately 700 to 1,100 feet, with an average span of 900 feet.
WHAT IS THE DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE HUGO-VALLIANT AREA, AND HOW MANY JOBS WILL THIS PROJECT CREATE?
The number of jobs related to this project is not certain at this stage, but the construction phase will have a positive impact on the local economy. For example, during construction, contractors estimate their employees spend about $6.50 to $7.50 for every hour they work in an area. That includes food, lodging, transportation, laundry and other needs that together represent a boost to the local economy. Over the longer term, economic benefits to the area and the state of Oklahoma include future property taxes and access to lower-cost energy from a diversity of sources. In addition, the line will provide additional power delivery capacity for future economic development. A more consistent and affordable energy supply will help existing businesses grow and also help attract new businesses, jobs and investment to the region.
HOW LONG WILL THIS PROCESS TAKE?
The Southwest Power Pool approved the Hugo-Valliant project in early 2009. Right-of-way acquisition was completed in September 2010 and engineering design was completed at the end of 2010. Construction activity got underway during the second quarter of 2011, and the line is projected to be energized in the second quarter of 2012.
WHO WILL PAY FOR THIS LINE?
Construction will be financed by ITC Great Plains. Because the line will benefit the entire region in terms of improved reliability, increased efficiency, and lower costs, the Southwest Power Pool will determine a revenue formula under which customers directly served by the line will pay a portion of the costs, and an additional percentage will be recovered from all customers in SPP region, which includes Oklahoma, Kansas, parts of northern Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
