Renewable energy edict behind proposed transmission line
Representatives of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC have been hosting public information meetings regarding a proposed transmission line project that involves Brown County and neighboring areas.
Catherine Cuellar, senior communications specialist for Oncor, said the proposed line is in response to a 2005 governmental edict.
“The state legislation has set ambitious goals to increase renewable energy in the state,” Cuellar said. “We currently have 8,000 megawatts. And, by the end of 2013, the state grid will have the capacity for 18,000 megawatts.”
Public meetings were held last week in Bangs and Coleman.
Informational literature provided by Oncor says that the Texas Legislature and the Public Utility Commission of Texas “..recently established competitive renewable energy zones (CREZ) to increase the state’s resource of clean, affordable energy by encouraging the construction of renewable energy superhighways. This renewable energy superhighway will connect Texas towns and cities with vast new supplies of clean, renewable wind generation.”
Utility companies have been directed by the PUCT to construct more than 2,000 miles of infrastructure, with Oncor responsible for approximately 850 miles of the new transmission line, that Oncor says will allow the state to more than double its capacity for wind energy.
The proposed transmission line would connect to the existing Bluff Creek Switching Station in Taylor County to the proposed Brown County Switching Station, located south of Ranch Road 586.
“This project increases the amount of clean, renewable power for Texans and improves reliability for the state,” Cuellar said.”
Further information provided by Oncor says that benefits would be potential decreases in wholesale costs of electricity and “..all consumers of electric power in Brown, Taylor, Runnels and Coleman counties would receive a more reliable source of electric power.”
The process of completing a project of this magnitude takes several years and involves many steps, Cuellar said.
“The project is currently in the environmental assessment and routing study phase,” Cuellar said. As part of that, we are holding these public information meetings to allow those effected to offer input and ask questions, which in the end, will determine the final outcome.”
Property owners may receive notification of Oncor’s route selection process and, any property owner that has a “habitable structure” within 500 feet of the centerline of any alternative route will be notified by certified mail. These notices are required as part of possible PUCT approval of the project.
After all information has been received and proper steps completed, officials with the PUCT will render a decision either allowing, partially allowing or disallowing the plan presented. If approved, the transmission line will stretch roughly 70 miles, depending on the route certificated by the PUCT.
The construction process, if approved, is the final phase and would include clearing, soil investigation, structures, conductor installation and cleanup.
For more information regarding the transmission line project, visit www.oncor.com/transmissionprojects, or contact Martha Henson, local project manager at (214) 486-7335.
The electric system in Texas is the combination of power generation facilities, transmission lines, switching stations and substations and distribution lines that carry electric service to retail customers. Transmission lines carry electricity from the facilities at a high voltage to substations where it becomes lower voltage for residential and business use.
By Rick Phelps
20 July 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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