Bakersfield to White Baker 345-kV Transmission Line Project

LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) filed a joint application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to amend their Certificates of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) to construct the Bakersfield-White Baker 345-kV Transmission Line in Pecos County, Texas.

The Bakersfield to White Baker 345-kV Transmission Line Project will connect LCRA TSC’s existing Bakersfield Substation about 11 miles southwest of McCamey, Texas, to TNMP’s proposed White Baker 345-kV Substation, located at TNMP’s existing White Baker 138-kV Substation about 25 miles east of Fort Stockton, Texas.

Project notes:

  • The project is part of the Permian Basin Reliability Plan approved by the PUCT on Oct. 5, 2024.
  • The project is needed to maintain transmission reliability associated with additional load in the area and will help address steady-state system performance deficiencies within a specific area of TNMP’s Far West Texas transmission system.
  • LCRA TSC will be responsible for the portion of the project originating at the Bakersfield Substation to the midpoint of the project, and TNMP will be responsible for the portion of the project originating at White Baker Substation to the midpoint.
  • If approved, the transmission line will be built on double-circuit steel lattice tower structures (LCRA TSC) and steel monopoles (TNMP).

Latest Update – June 2026

LCRA TSC and TNMP filed an application with the PUCT on June 23, 2026, to amend their CCNs for the Bakersfield to White Baker 345-kV Transmission Line Project under Docket No. 59908. University Lands provided written consent to LCRA TSC and TNMP for the proposed route, which complies with the requirements of Public Utility Regulatory Act and the Commission’s Rules.

To view the complete filing package please see Docket No. 59908.

Map

Bakersfield to White Baker Study Area Map [PDF]

Project Timeline

2026
Summer Filing of joint application with PUCT to amend CCNs
Fall/Winter Anticipated PUCT approval and Final Order
2027
Final design and engineering
Easement acquisition
2028
Winter-Summer Construction
Summer Project in service

Resources

Public Viewing Map

Contact

Susana Thorne, LCRA Senior Regulatory Case Manager
[email protected]
Project Phone Number: 512-578-1447