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Norman council approves Western Farmers/OEC substation rezoning after heated public opposition
Summary
After extensive public comment about watershed risks, herbicide use and property impacts, the Norman City Council approved rezoning to permit a Western Farmers/Oklahoma Electric Cooperative substation near 72nd Avenue Southeast. Council passed the final reading 8–1; Councilmember Blodgett opposed.
Norman — The City Council on Dec. 9 approved an ordinance to rezone property north of Etowah Road on 72nd Avenue Southeast to allow construction of an electric substation to be owned by Western Farmers and serving Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC) customers. The final reading passed 8–1, with Councilmember Blodgett voting no.
OEC system engineer Patrick Grace told the council the area’s substations have reached or exceeded nameplate capacity at peak hours and the new substation would relieve overloaded facilities, improving reliability for roughly 2,000 homes and local commercial loads. "Reliability is first, but then affordability is after that," Grace said, summarizing the utility rationale.
Western Farmers and OEC staff described the fenced equipment area as roughly 120 by 80 feet within a 300-by-400 property and said the tallest visible components would be transformer-related structures and lightning/ground…
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