Wind power line project up for comment
The effort to bring more wind energy to Texas is getting a big boost.
The Lower Colorado River Authority plans to build, own and operate about 600 miles of new and rebuilt existing transmission lines and facilities that will cost about $700 million, according to estimates by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas.
The project is intended to allow for reliable and cost-effective delivery of power produced from wind generators in West Texas and the Panhandle, called Competitive Renewable Energy Zones, to areas of high demand throughout the state.
The project is one of the system improvements deemed necessary by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and ordered by the PUC to be constructed to meet the mandate of Senate Bill 20, that requires energy production in Texas include 5,000 megawatts of renewable wind generation by 2015.
A megawatt, or 1 million watts, can provide enough power for 300 to 400 homes in Texas at any given moment. Transmission lines in place are insufficient to handle the load of the wind energy generated in Texas.
That means energy "bunches up" in rural areas, and Texas' heavily populated metro areas don't yet get the full benefit of the renewable resource. New transmission lines will address that issue.
The LCRA is holding an open house for the public to give input and discuss the building of the transmission lines. A letter was mailed out to more than 2,000 public officials and landowners who might be affected by the lines' construction.
"We're looking for information from them, and we'll show them some early routes we're looking at so they can look at large maps and some detailed areas," said Krista Umscheid-Ramirez, spokeswoman and senior communications specialist for LCRA. "We want (the public's) input for any type of features on their land they want to bring to our attention.
"This is the beginning of what can be a long process," Umscheid-Ramirez said. "I believe we are scheduled to file with the PUC in September."
She said the LCRA has to make sure all routes being submitted meet the PUC's criteria.
The LCRA will first have to gauge the public's input in the initial meeting, then draw up proposed transmission lines, taking a number of factors into consideration, from natural obstacles to prehistoric sites.
After the proposals are presented, the public whose property will be affected will get notification and have a chance to intervene through a judge.
"This contested hearing is much like a trial where all the parties can submit their evidence to an administrative law judge," said Terry Hadley, PUC spokesman. "If it goes to the Office of Administrative Hearings, that judge will make a decision that will be debated by PUC commissioner panel."
The PUC commission board, comprising three members, then takes the builder's proposed routes and comes up with the most cost-effective plan. The construction will then get the go-ahead.
Landowners who would be affected by the construction would then receive a final notice that details exactly how, when and where the construction will happen.
"The goal is to find a route that comes in at the most cost-effective means that affects the fewest number of landowners," Hadley said. The PUC "does want to have it done at a reasonable price."
If you go
* What: Open house held by LCRA to discuss new CREZ transmission project.
* Topic: Meeting will discuss approval process for Public Utility Commission of Texas.
* To learn more: Call LCRA at 1-800-776-5272, ext. 4546, or go to lcra.org/crez.
* When: From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.
* Where: La Quinta Inn Conference Center, 2307 Loop 306, San Angelo.
* Inside: Info on similar open house events this week in Christoval and Junction. Page A4