Project Update
Aug 6, 2007: On July 27, the Public Utility Commission of Texas approved Route 14 for construction. This route, which mostly parallels FM 1283, consists of segments B-E-G-K-N-O-Q1. Download a map of the approved route
Previous Project Updates
Aug 2, 2007: LCRA TSC filed its application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC). To review the filings for the case, go to the PUC's Web site and click the "Login" button (you don't need a user name as all visitors are "guests"). Then type 32934 (the project's PUC docket number) in the "Control Number" field.
June 12, 2007: At the open houses in March, LCRA TSC representatives informed those in attendance that we were anticipating filing the CCN application in September. That plan has changed. We now anticipate filing in the first part of August. This change does not affect the original projected energize date of December 2009.
April 5, 2007: LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) staff has refined the alternative route segments and is in the process of identifying routes that it will present to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) in its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) application. The original route map can be viewed by clicking on “aerial map” (to the right, under FYI). What’s changed? In LCRA TSC’s portion of the project, segment I2 has been eliminated. At the time we announced the open houses, we were unaware of the extent of the approved plat for the Dancing Bear Subdivision. The configuration of the lots does not allow for a relatively straight line to be drawn along property lines. Since one of our objectives is to minimize the overall cost of the project, and thus the number of angle structures, we elected to eliminate that segment as an alternative.
What is the Medina Lake-to-CPS Project?
LCRA TSC and CPS EnergyTM are proposing to route and build a new 138-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Bandera, Medina and Bexar counties. The new line will connect the existing Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC) Medina Lake Substation in Bandera County to CPS Energy's Cagnon Substation.
The proposed line is a joint project between LCRA TSC and CPS Energy. The two utilities have agreed to work together and with the public to find the best route for the needed power line. CPS Energy will build and own the portion of the line within its retail electric service area and LCRA TSC will build the remainder of the line to the Medina Lake Substation. As part of this project, two new substations will also be built. CPS Energy proposes locating a new substation in the vicinity of Farm Road 471, Farm Road 1283 and State Highway 211. LCRA TSC and BEC propose locating a new substation in the vicinity immediately east of Medina Lake in Medina County.
The Medina Lake-to-CPS Project is scheduled to be completed by winter 2009.
Why is this project needed?
Your community and those around it are growing rapidly and that growth is expected to continue. Listed below are reasons this project is needed.
- Load growth (the increase in the number of customers requiring electric service and the increase in power demands from existing customers) has been occurring at a steady pace in Western Bexar, Eastern Medina, and Southeastern Bandera counties.
- Existing electric facilities in this area will not meet reliability needs at anticipated load-growth levels.
- The project provides a second transmission line into the Medina Lake Substation that serves over 6,000 customers currently served by only one transmission line.
- The project supports both immediate and long-term load-growth-driven reliability in Western Bexar, Eastern Medina and Southeastern Bandera counties.
- The project will support the addition of a future CPS Energy substation to improve reliability in Western Bexar County.
- The project will support the addition of a future BEC substation to improve the reliability in southeastern Bandera and eastern Medina counties.
- The project will improve voltage in Western Bexar, Eastern Medina, and Southeastern Bandera counties.
How might this project affect you?
Both utilities will purchase easement rights along the path of the transmission line to allow for construction, operation and maintenance of the facilities. An easement grants the right to use certain land for a specific purpose. However, the landowner retains ownership of the property and can continue to use the easement in ways that do not interfere with the easement holder's rights.
Owners of land directly affected by the proposed lines will be contacted and efforts will be made to minimize disturbances to landowners or 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 or maintenance, and does not jeopardize the safe use of the easement area.
What is the LCRA?
LCRA, or the Lower Colorado River Authority, is a conservation and reclamation district that provides energy, water and community services to the people of Texas. LCRA generates electricity and sells it wholesale to more than 40 city-owned utilities and rural electric cooperatives that serve more than 1.1 million Texans. LCRA also manages the waters of the lower Colorado River, operates parks, and helps communities with economic development. LCRA operates on revenues from the sale of electricity, water and other services. It cannot levy taxes and receives no tax money.
What is the LCRA Transmission Services Corporation?
Senate Bill 7, passed by the Texas Legislature in 1999, restructured the state's electric industry and allowed LCRA to offer transmission services to other utilities in Texas. Provisions of Texas Senate Bill 7 required most utilities to separate the electric generation and transmission functions. As a result, the LCRA created LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) in 2001 to meet these requirements.
What is CPS Energy?
CPS Energy is the nation's largest municipally owned energy company providing both natural gas and electric service. Acquired by the City of San Antonio in 1942, the City Public Service Board was established to oversee the operation of San Antonio's electric and gas systems. In 2005, City Public Service adopted the trademarked name, CPS Energy. Currently, CPS Energy reliably generates, transmits and distributes electricity to more than 630,000 electric customers and more than 310,000 natural gas customers in and around San Antonio. CPS Energy retail customers enjoy some of the lowest electric rates in the nation. Taxes do not support CPS Energy operations. Instead, proceeds from CPS Energy remain in the community and account for more than one-fifth of the City of San Antonio's annual operating budget for police and fire protection, street improvements, parks and other services.
Working together
Keeping the public informed is an important part of the routing and siting process for projects like this, for both LCRA TSC and CPS Energy. As the project moves forward, both utilities will continue to provide updates and information and address concerns raised by public officials, affected landowners and the general public. Landowners and other interested parties can view maps and displays at the open houses and online at www.lcra.org and www.cpsenergy.com. The purpose of the open houses is to allow the public to ask questions of knowledgeable utility staff members. Additionally, LCRA TSC and CPS Energy staff members are available for follow-up meetings after the open houses.
The joint routing process
LCRA TSC and CPS Energy will work through a joint routing study. Public input, along with several other factors, such as environmental criteria, aesthetics, cost and land use will be considered by both utilities when evaluating the alternative routes and selecting a preferred route. Both LCRA TSC and CPS Energy share the goal of identifying a route that, after considering all relevant factors, will minimize impacts on people and the environment and best serve the public interest.
The approval process
The joint routing study will result in a preferred route for the transmission line. CPS Energy will present the routing study and its part of the preferred route to the CPS Energy Board of Trustees and the San Antonio City Council. LCRA TSC will apply for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) for its part of the preferred route. The routing study and all alternative routes, including the preferred route, will be included as part of LCRA TSC's CCN application. The final decisions on route approval will be made by the CPS Energy Board of Trustees and the San Antonio City Council (for CPS Energy's part of the project), and by the PUC for LCRA TSC's portion of the project.
LCRA TSC and CPS Energy will notify all affected landowners upon initiating the approval process for either utility.
What about EMF?
Some landowners may have questions about electric and magnetic fields, also called EMF. Electric and magnetic fields are found anywhere electricity is used, including homes, from items like hairdryers, 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. If you have questions about electric and magnetic fields, please contact Roxanne Hernandez with LCRA TSC at (800) 776-5272.
For more information about this project, please visit our web site or contact:
LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY
Transmission Regulatory Services
Attention: Roxanne Hernandez
P.O. Box 220
Austin, Texas 78767-0220
(800) 776 5272, ext. 4117
(512) 473 3200, ext. 4117
