Status of CREZ projects as of July 28, 2010 July 28, 2010 - LCRA TSC files application with Public Utility Commission for new transmission line across Hill Country Fact Sheet Public Notice Public Notice Maps - Preferred and primary alternate route maps 1 of 6 2 of 6 3 of 6 4 of 6 5 of 6 6 of 6 Inset of Maps Aerial photography interactive map (High speed internet access is recommended.)  Watch the Interactive Map Tutorial for tips on how to use the map. Location of Directly Affected Properties Maps - Location of directly affected land owners on all possible routes Habitable structures and other land use features (High speed internet access is recommended.) Fig. 6-1a Fig. 6-1b Fig. 6-1c Fig. 6-1d Fig. 6-1e Fig. 6-1f Fig. 6-1g Fig. 6-1h Environmental and land use constraints within the study area (High speed internet access is recommended.) Fig. 3-1a Fig. 3-1b Fig. 3-1c Fig. 3-1d Fig. 3-1e Fig. 3-1f Fig. 3-1g Fig. 3-1h Photo: Sara Morgenroth, senior regulatory case manager for LCRA, shows the largest filing package LCRA Transmission Services Corporation has ever filed with the Public Utility Commission. On Wednesday, LCRA TSC filed its application to build a new transmission line that would cross the Hill Country. The application for the project, called McCamey D to Kendall to Gillespie, included about 2,500 sheets of paper and more than three dozen oversized maps. Each box in the photograph contains one copy of the entire application.   July 27, 2010 - LCRA general manager sends open letter to Hill Country citizens — Newspapers in the Hill Country began running today an open letter to citizens from LCRA’s general manager. The letter discusses proposed transmission lines to be built in the Hill Country. LCRA TSC on July 28 will file an application with the Public Utility Commission for the McCamey D-to-Kendall-to-Gillespie project. For more information read the news release. View the open letter.

CREZ stands for competitive renewable energy zones. A CREZ is an area where wind generation facilities will be installed throughout West Texas and the Panhandle and from which transmission facilities will be built to various other areas of the state to deliver mostly renewable power to end-use consumers in the most beneficial and cost-effective manner.

 

LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) is one of several transmission service providers that have been formally ordered by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to construct the new transmission lines that will be required to connect the CREZs to the load centers throughout the state. The PUC made a decision in January 2009 (Final Order issued in March 2009) as to which entities will build which transmission facilities. A few projects, termed default projects, were previously assigned to current owners to start implementing soon.

LCRA TSC has been ordered by the PUC to build, own, and operate about 600 miles of new and existing transmission lines and facilities, which, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), represents about $795 million of the $4.9 billion project.

The overall CREZ effort will approximately triple Texas’ current level of wind generation capacity to 18,456 MW. The transmission lines that will connect the CREZs to the load centers will increase reliability of the ERCOT grid and increase the transfer of wind and other power into various parts of the state.

The project is a natural fit for LCRA’s public service mission and commitment to provide reliable, low-cost power to the people of Texas.

Learn more:

• LCRA’s public process.
• Where is CREZ? See the CREZ areas on the Texas map.
• CREZ map with all TSPs' ownership lines (March 30, 2009)
• CREZ map showing all CREZ-related projects awarded to LCRA TSC, including priority and default lines and substations
• FAQ gives more details.
• LCRA TSC routing process
• PUC Final Order (May 15, 2009)
• 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 "35665" (the project's PUC docket number) in the "Control Number" field. 
• LCRA's CREZ default projects
• Read CREZ news releases and other updates.
  • July 28 - LCRA TSC files application with Public Utility Commission for new transmission line across Hill Country
  • July 27 - LCRA general manager sends open letter to Hill Country citizens
  • July 1, 2010 - PUC selects route for new transmission line that LCRA TSC will build in Schleicher, Irion and Tom Green counties
  • June 16, 2010 - LCRA TSC suspends further development of Gillespie-to-Newton transmission line
  • April 28, 2010 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to hold meetings on environmental impact of new transmission lines
  • April 26, 2010 In a final order issued on April 26, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) did not approve LCRA Transmission Services Corporation’s Gillespie-to-Newton CREZ Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) application.
  • March 1, 2010 - More than 1,570 people attend open houses on transmission line project; Still time to submit questionnaires
  • Feb. 19, 2010 - Open houses continue for new transmission line; public can still comment to LCRA TSC in person or by mail
  • Jan. 29, 2010 - LCRA TSC hosts seven transmission project open houses in February to gather public input
  • Jan. 26, 2010 - Laydown yards provide storage areas for transmission line construction materials
  • Jan. 19, 2010 - Transmission line projects draw more than 100 to McCamey, Odessa open houses; still time to submit questionnaires
  • Jan. 15, 2010 - LCRA TSC files application with PUC to build new 345-kiloVolt transmission line
  • Jan. 8, 2010 - LCRA TSC files information with Public Utility Commission on potential use of different transmission line structures
  • Jan. 4, 2010 - LCRA TSC to hold two open houses in January to gather public input on new transmission projects
  • Oct. 28, 2009 - LCRA TSC files application with PUC to build new 345-kilovolt transmission line
  • Sept. 24, 2009 - LCRA TSC gets PUC approval for more time to study additional transmission line routes for wind power projects
  • Sept. 17, 2009 - LCRA TSC requests more time to study additional transmission line routes for wind power project
  • May 21, 2009 - New transmission line open houses draw about 1,900; public still has time to comment to LCRA TSC
  • Apr. 18, 2009 - LCRA TSC to host five transmission project open houses in May to gather public input (Lampasas, Burnet, Llano, Fredericksburg, and Comfort)
  • Apr. 18, 2009 - LCRA TSC to host six transmission project open houses in May to gather public input (San Angelo, Christoval, Junction, Harper, Comfort, and Kerrville)
  • Apr. 1, 2009 - New transmission lines to transmit renewable power from wind farms to populated areas of Texas
  • Jan. 5, 2009 - LCRA TSC to hold transmission project open house Jan. 15 in McCamey
  • Sept. 11, 2008 - Diverse group of Texas transmission providers to file detailed transmission plan to support Texas CREZ Wind Power Initiative
  • July 24, 2008 - Consortium submits proposal to develop transmission to support Texas wind initiative

 Print this page