Oil & Gas Pro

$700 million to be spent in DeSoto on the Southern Spirit Transmission Line

DeSoto, other N. La. parishes to get economic boost from transmission line construction

ktbs.com/news/desoto

MANSFIELD, La. – A privately-funded high voltage transmission line that will stretch about 200 miles across eight parishes in north Louisiana represents a $1 billion investment in the state – with about $700 million of that being spent in DeSoto Parish.

Emory Belton, a Baton Rouge attorney representing Pattern Energy, said the project, called Southern Spirit Transmission, was started about 10 years ago to connect Texas and Southeastern power grids. It hit some regulatory hurdles in Texas. With those legal issues resolved, the project is “back on full steam ahead.”

Belton told DeSoto police jurors Monday agents representing Pattern Energy are already contacting landowners to ask for permission to survey their properties. They will then follow-up with right-of-way servitude agreements.

The biggest part of the project will be construction of a converter station in DeSoto Parish. That’s where the power coming in from Texas will be converted to direct current before it’s sent to Mississippi where it will be sold.

The transmission line, which Belton said will cost $1.5 billion to construct, will cross DeSoto, Red River, Bienville, Jackson, Ouachita, Richland, Franklin and East Carroll parishes.

Belton called this a “unique project,” in that no utility companies are involved. None have ownership interests; therefore, ratepayers will not be impacted.

During the two-year construction period, Belton said over 2,000 jobs will be created. The transmission line is expected to support over 250 permanent jobs in the state, and about a dozen at the converter station in DeSoto. 

The company estimates $151 million in total earnings impact during construction. 

As far as economic impact, DeSoto Parish will see the greatest with construction impacts estimated at $113.5 million and $27.2 million in operations. 

Property taxes will get the greatest bump. DeSoto Parish can expect to receive approximately $212.3 million over 40 years, with an annual average of $5.3 million. 

 

https://patternenergy.com/projects/southern-spirit-transmission/

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Replies to This Discussion


Oil & Gas ProPermalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on September 9, 2026 at 10:27

It is time to start reporting leasing efforts by location and terms.  There should be one or more land companies assigned to DeSoto Parish.  It would be helpful to know the grantee on the servitude rights-of way in order to see what is filed in the public record.  The link shows a map of the approximate route through the Longstreet area.

Projected Schedule

  • 2029  Target Full Construction Start 
  • 2032  Target In-Service Date

landownerPermalink Reply by Quarter Royalty on September 15, 2026 at 12:32
This project got killed by the legislature at the behest of Paul Dickson. Would have been a big win for a lot of communities.

https://lailluminator.com/2024/04/26/lawmakers-advance-bill-to-inte...

Oil & Gas ProPermalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on September 15, 2026 at 12:36

Thanks for the update.  I do recall that back in the spring.  I think it may not stay dead.

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