PUC approves route 24
The PUC on Sept. 11 adopted the proposal for decision that the administrative law judges issued in June. This decision approves the project and the preferred route 24 presented by LCRA TSC.
The project will begin after LCRA TSC receives and evaluates a final order from the PUC. At that point, LCRA will begin designing the line according to the PUC’s direction and acquiring easements needed for the project.
To review filings for this project Go to the the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) document Web site at interchange.puc.state.tx.us and click on the "Login" button (you don't need a user name as all visitors are "guests"). Then type "33978" (the project's PUC docket number) in the "Control Number" field.
Background information
What is the Clear Springs/Zorn to Hutto project?
LCRA TSC is proposing to build a 345-kilovolt double-circuit transmission line. The Clear Springs/Zorn-Hutto Project consists of three new circuits. The first circuit will be installed from the Clear Springs Switching Station, located on Link Road in southern Guadalupe County, to the expanded Gilleland Creek Switching Station, located off Cameron Road in eastern Travis County. The second circuit will be installed from the existing Zorn Switching Station, located on State Highway 123 in northern Guadalupe County, to the expanded Hutto Switching Station, located on County Road 119 in southern Williamson County. The third circuit will be installed from the expanded Gilleland Creek Switching Station to the expanded Hutto Switching Station. The proposed project, in conjunction with another transmission line project being constructed by Oncor Electric Delivery (Oncor) north of the Hutto switching station, will address several regional transmission needs and has been approved by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). LCRA TSC's project does not include new substations, but the project would require expansion of the Gilleland Creek Switching Station and additional work at the Zorn and Clear Springs substations.
Why is the Clear Springs/Zorn-to-Hutto Project needed?
The proposed transmission line project, in conjunction with another transmission line that Oncor Electric Delivery is constructing north of Hutto, is needed to address regional electric system concerns.
Load growth
Bell, Travis and Williamson counties are among the fastest growing in Texas. The proposed project would provide necessary transmission facilities to reliably meet the area's load-growth needs for the foreseeable future.
New power plants
During the past five years, several power plants have been constructed in Central Texas. Specifically, these power plants have been built in Guadalupe, Hays, Bastrop and Travis counties. The power from these plants has created transmission congestion, which results in higher electricity costs for the ratepayers of Texas. The proposed project would help alleviate this transmission congestion and thus avoid these higher costs for electricity.
Reliability concerns
Electric system studies show that at expected load growth levels and at present power generation availability, the area could experience reliability issues. Specifically, outages along an existing 345-kilovolt double-circuit corridor between San Antonio and Bell County could cause significant overload conditions on the underlying 138-kilovolt transmission facilities in Central Texas These overload conditions could lead to loss of electric service, equipment damage and other public safety concerns. With the addition of the proposed project and in conjunction with the Oncor Electric Delivery project north of Hutto, these overload conditions would be alleviated.
What is the current status of the project?
LCRA TSC has filed an application with the PUC for a preferred route to build the approximately 85- to 102-mile transmission line. In addition to identifying a preferred route, which PUC staff has supported, LCRA TSC filed 23 alternative routes for consideration by the PUC. All 24 routes were selected based on factors including public input, environmental and land use criteria, aesthetics, engineering, construction and cost. Any of the 24 proposed routes would be adequate for the project. The preferred route, which is about 85 miles long, is the shortest of the alternatives and is the one with the fewest habitable structures within 500 feet of its centerline. Members of the public have identified the presence of habitable structures as one of the most important factors in route selection. The preferred route also follows State Highway 130 for about 20 miles.
What are the next steps?
The PUC will make the final decision on whether to approve the building of the line and where it will be built.
Administrative law judges issued a Proposal for Decision (PFD) on June 30, 2008. That proposal recommended LCRA TSC's preferred route for this 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission project. The judges' ruling took into account direct and rebuttal testimony received during a 10-day Hearing on the Merits in February and legal briefs and reply briefs received from LCRA TSC, PUC staff and intervenors.
LCRA TSC anticipates commissioners with the PUC will make a final decision regarding its application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) sometime in August 2008.
See more info on the steps for obtaining approval for transmission projects from the PUC.
What if the PUC orders another route?
LCRA TSC will follow the PUC's direction. If another alternative is selected or other guidelines are set for the project, LCRA TSC will continue to work with landowners to minimize impact to their property.
What is the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)?
LCRA is a nonprofit conservation and reclamation district that provides energy, water and community services to Texans. See ABCs of LCRA.
What is the LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC)?
Legislation passed in 1999 restructured the state's electric industry and allowed LCRA to offer transmission services to other utilities throughout Texas. Provisions of Texas Senate Bill 7 required utilities to separate electric generation and transmission businesses. Learn more.
How you may be affected
LCRA TSC will purchase easement rights along the path of the transmission line to allow for construction, operation, and maintenance of the line. An easement is a legal document that gives a utility the right to use privately owned land for a specific purpose, while the landowner retains ownership of the property. More about easements.
Owners of land directly affected by the line will be contacted, and all efforts will be made to minimize disturbances to landowners and their property. After completing any work on the transmission line, the surface of the easement property will be restored. Landowners may continue to use the easement property for activities such as farming and ranching, as long as the activity does not interfere with the line's construction, operation, and maintenance, and does not jeopardize the safe use of the easement area.
What about EMF?
Some landowners have asked questions about electric and magnetic fields, also called EMF. Electric and magnetic fields are found everywhere electricity is used, including hair dryers, computers, televisions and power lines. Some concerns have been raised in the past about potential health effects of EMF. Although there has been extensive scientific research, no direct link has been established between exposure to power lines and adverse health effects. Neither the state government nor the federal government has established any health standards relating to EMF. For more information, see electric and magnetic fields and you.
For more information
If you have additional questions, write or phone:
LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY
Transmission Regulatory Services
Attention: Sara Morgenroth
P.O. Box 220, Austin, Texas 78767-0220
1-800-776-5272, Ext. 4151 
