"Wind Catcher, a 2,000 megawatt farm planned in Oklahoma, needed clearance from four states. Oil and gas industry-connected groups were campaigning against it."

"American Electric Power last week abandoned its plan to build the largest wind farm in the United States, a victim of a complex mix of political, regulatory and market challenges.

The giant utility company gave up after the Texas Public Utility Commission rejected the 2,000 megawatt, $4.5 billion project known as Wind Catcher.

The project faced stiff opposition from interest groups whose formidable regional influence is bolstered with fossil fuel money. And it faced a shifting financial landscape, with cheap natural gas and shifting tax policies casting doubts on its economic merits. It also needed 350 miles of controversial new transmission lines, often a daunting obstacle to large-scale grid modernization."

Dan Gearino reports for InsideClimate News July 30, 2018. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Plans for $4.5 Billion Wind Farm To Power Louisiana Scrapped After Regulator's Denial" (AP) [3]