When someone new moves into the area we cross our fingers and hope for a good neighbor. While everyone has a different checklist for what makes a decent neighbor, there are some universal characteristics on the wish list. Being courteous and friendly, keeping the place picked up, contributing to the community -- these are all marks of a good neighbor.
Blaine County residents recently got a new – very visible -- neighbor. The 356-turbine Traverse wind farm located in Blaine and Custer Counties is near completion with planned commercial operation in early 2022. Once completed, the 999- megawatt project will be purchased by Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). The Traverse project is part of the 1485-MW North Central Energy Facilities project which also includes Woods County’s 199-MW Sundance wind farm, which began commercial operation in April 2021, and Major County’s 287- MW Maverick wind farm which began commercial operation in September 2021.
While PSO is new to this area, the Tulsa-based company has been operating in Oklahoma for more than 100 years. PSO, the Oklahoma operating company of American Electric Power, serves electricity to more than 232 communities in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. These communities would tell you that PSO is a great neighbor and active community partners, a source of volunteers and donors to non-profit organizations that improve the quality of life of these communities. In 2020, PSO and American Electric Power Foundation contributed more than $1.6 million to education and non-profit partners in the areas we serve. Additionally, PSO is the state’s third largest payer of ad valorem tax, paying over $37 million annually, which heavily benefits K-12 public schools.
Locally, PSO has jumped in as an active contributor to the Watonga area. Over the past two years, PSO has supported Watonga and Geary 4-H and FFA students at the Blaine County Bonus Auction with add-on premiums. We’ve provided funding to the Ferguson Home for building repairs and helped sponsor and serve the Watonga Teacher Appreciation Breakfast. PSO is a member of the Watonga Chamber of Commerce and served as a sponsor of the 2021 Cheese Festival. As citizens in the communities we serve, these contributions are highly valued by PSO.
PSO is excited about the wind farm development in the area, and we look forward to being a great neighbor.