ALJ recommends approval for AEP Oklahoma Transmission rebuild in three counties

An Administrative Law Judge recommended that the Oklahoma Corporation Commission grant AEP Oklahoma Transmission Company, Inc.'s application for a Certificate of Authority to rebuild electric transmission facilities in Carter, Comanche and Stephens counties. The recommendation was made at a special meeting held March 9, 2026, at the Concourse Theater in the Will Rogers Memorial Office Building.

ALJ Carly Ortel opened the record in Case No. PUD2025-000069 and "took appearances from the parties," then opened the floor for public comment; "none was offered by persons present in Suite C50 or online," and Ortel proceeded to address pretrial issues and hear witness testimony. "ALJ Ortel made a recommendation that the Commission grant the application in this matter," according to the meeting minutes. No formal Commission vote was taken at the meeting; Chairman Kim David reconvened the record after the ALJ's recommendation, and the special meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.

The notice and agenda for the special meeting were posted at the Commission's principal office on March 4, 2026, and were provided in writing to the Oklahoma Secretary of State at least 48 hours before the meeting, per the minutes. Commissioners present were Chairman Kim David, Commissioner J. Todd Hiett and Commissioner Brian Bingman. The minutes state that interested persons participated in person or by teleconference when authorized, but they record no public comments on the AEP application during the authorized public comment period.

The ALJ's recommendation is advisory; the minutes do not record a final Commission decision at the March 9 session. The Commission's archived meeting recording and the case docket for PUD2025-000069 are available on the Commission's website for anyone seeking the full hearing record and filings.