Video: Possible Wind Energy Line Coming To North Mississippi

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — The largest wind energy power line in the southeast may soon be coming to North Mississippi, says Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley.

Presley said Pattern Energy, a subsidiary of Southern Cross Transmission Project, is expected to submit a proposal in September to bring a 400-mile line, going from Texas to North Mississippi.

“Sunshine is free and wind is free, and it doesn’t come from countries that hate America”, Presley said, “This makes us more energy independent, this makes our electric grid more resilient in the case of storms, and it presents another energy source option.”

Presley said the project would bring in around 300 construction jobs to the area.

According to Southern Cross Transmission’s website, the project will host an open house at Winona Secondary School Cafeteria on June 29th from 4 PM to 7 PM.

The project will also hold an open house at the West Point Civic Center on June 30th from 4 PM to 7 PM.

“As we see the energy market moving around the country, wind energy and solar energy are becoming more and more part of the mix…”, said Presley, “…We’ll never get rid of coal, we’ll never get rid of natural gas, we’ll never get rid of nuclear power, but we are integrating more and more solar power and wind power to our electricity mix to try and keep rates low and benefit the customers in Mississippi.”

The project’s website also states that the plan is to begin construction on the line in Spring 2018.

The project will also meet with homeowners within 500 feet of the proposal to see what works for the community.