Study: Plains & Eastern Clean Line Project Will Boost State Economy

Courtesy of General Cable

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Researchers from the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas have published a study stating the construction and operation of the Plains & Eastern Clean Line transmission project will mean more than $660 million to the economy of Arkansas.

The Plains & Eastern Clean Line is an approximately 700-mile-long direct current transmission line to deliver low-cost clean electrical energy from the Oklahoma Panhandle to Arkansas, Tennessee and other states in the Mid-South and Southeast. The economic impact study analyzes the total economic activity generated by the construction of the transmission line and associated facilities, as well as the production of components such as transmission structures, conductor wire and insulators.

Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and principal author of the study, said, “Energy infrastructure projects like the Plains & Eastern Clean Line support the competitiveness of Arkansas manufacturers and generate jobs for new and established businesses in a wide variety of sectors.

“The Plains & Eastern Clean Line project will generate over $180 million in total labor income and over $660 million of total economic output in Arkansas — a much needed boost for Arkansas workers, businesses and industry,” she added.   

The study says construction of the Plains & Eastern Clean Line project in Arkansas will create an average of approximately 855 jobs during the 30-month construction period, along with indirect and induced creation of 693 jobs. In addition to the construction jobs, the operation of the Plains & Eastern Clean Line will create a demand for 41 permanent operations and maintenance jobs in Arkansas and 28 associated indirect and induced jobs, the study says.

The full study is available online at cber.uark.edu.

About the Center for Business and Economic Research: The center was established as the Bureau of Business and Economic Research in 1943 to explore and report on economic, business and social conditions in Arkansas. In addition to supporting research within the college, the center supports economic development by providing economic and demographic data and analysis to business, government and individuals. Over the years, the center has grown to become a well-known point for communications and exchange of ideas, research, publications and data for universities, businesses, government and individuals. In addition, the center serves as a focal point in providing assistance to faculty and students in experimentation with their ideas and techniques in both theoretical and applied research.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.