LCRA press release
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  CREZ SEEN AS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR TEXAS A new report predicts 126,000 new jobs, $23 billion infusion from wind-related projects. Texas electric customers can expect to save up to $1 a day on their monthly bills and the state could realize as much as $23 billion a year in economic activity from the construction of the transmission lines and towers in the Competitive Renewable Energy Zones, a study released today shows. The report concludes that the CREZ project will result in nearly 126,000 permanent jobs while solidifying Texas’ position as the nation’s leader in wind-powered electric generation. Fuel prices don't influence wind energy, as more wind power becomes available on the market, it has a greater influence on wholesale market prices. The net result is a lower overall cost of electricity. Reductions in rates for residential, commercial, and industrial customers are possible. The Public Utility Commission is in the process of finalizing the routes for about 2,300 miles of transmission lines in the renewable energy zones to transport wind power from the Panhandle and West Texas to the state’s urban centers. The CREZ project is expected to cost nearly $5 billion and will be paid through a charge added to ratepayers’ bills that works out to an average of $4 a month. For Immediate Release: May 14, 2010 Media Contact: Clara Tuma (512) 473-3292 AUSTIN – The LCRA Board of Directors has approved a fiscal year (FY) 2011 business plan that focuses on meeting growing needs for energy, water and community services, which help improve the quality of life for residents in LCRA's service area. Most of this service area is in the Central Texas region. The LCRA Board at its April 21 meeting approved the business plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2010. The approved plan sets an $823.8 million operating budget for LCRA, its power generation subsidiary and the nonprofit LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (TSC). The LCRA TSC Board separately approved a $98.0 million operating budget, which is included in LCRA’s total budget. The FY 2011 business plan anticipates total revenues of $1.2 billion, an amount that also includes debt-service and other embedded costs in addition to the operating budget. The $1.2 billion amount is 1 percent higher than for the current fiscal year, due to higher costs of fuel, debt service and operation and maintenance. "This business plan will help position LCRA to continue meeting the needs of the people we serve, particularly in planning for the region’s long-term electric generation and water-supply needs, and to continue to deliver its services in the most cost-effective manner possible,” said LCRA Board Chair Rebecca A. Klein. Roughly 43 percent of LCRA’s total projected revenues, about $518.9 million, will pay for coal, natural gas, renewable energy and purchased power to provide electricity for LCRA's 43 wholesale electric customers. The rest will fund LCRA's power plant, transmission, and dam operations, river and water-supply management, water and wastewater utilities, economic and community development services, and parks. The LCRA Board also approved a $445.9 million capital budget, more than 60 percent of which will fund transmission projects to improve reliability and capacity of the electric grid serving most of Texas. Those projects are included in the $276.7 million capital budget approved separately by the LCRA TSC Board. The LCRA capital budget also includes water and wastewater expansion and upgrade projects; power plant improvements and repairs; projects related to river management, irrigation, and hydroelectric generation, and continued minor improvements and upkeep in LCRA’s parks facilities. "This year LCRA is celebrating 75 years of providing energy, water and community services to the people of Texas," said LCRA General Manager Tom Mason. “The challenges we face in meeting our customers’ needs are no less critical than we faced in creating the Highland Lakes and dams and a public-power system that greatly enriched the quality of life for this region. I am confident that LCRA’s Board and our staff will successfully address those challenges to serve the people of Texas for another 75 years.” Copies of the business plans for LCRA and LCRA TSC are available on LCRA’s Web site at www.lcra.org. LCRA is a conservation and reclamation district that funds its operations with revenues from the sales of energy and water services. LCRA does not collect taxes or receive state appropriations. Status of Gillespie-to-Newton Transmission Project 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. The commissioners instructed LCRA TSC to identify additional routes particularly along property lines. They also encouraged landowners, elected officials and LCRA TSC to continue to work together early in the process to route lines before the CCN application is re-filed at an undetermined future date. LCRA TSC is reviewing the final order and the comments PUC commissioners made at their April 23 open meeting. After reviewing this information, LCRA TSC will determine if the Newton Substation end point can be relocated, re-evaluate the study area, and identify segments and routes to be filed in the next application for this project. Until these factors are fully considered, the schedule for filing the next Gillespie-to-Newton CCN application is unknown. Press release: April 4, 2010 U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO HOLD MEETINGS ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF NEW TRANSMISSION LINES The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) will hold five scoping meetings to gather public comment as it prepares a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that relates to potential impacts to endangered species habitat that may occur in connection with construction and operation of new transmission lines the LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) plans to build in parts of West and Central Texas. The lines are part of Texas’ Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) program to transmit wind power generated in West Texas and the Panhandle to more populated areas. The scope of the EIS may include portions of Tom Green, Schleicher, Sutton, Mason, Menard, Kimble, Kerr, Kendall, Irion, Gillespie, Llano, Burnet, San Saba and Lampasas counties. LCRA TSC was awarded four CREZ “priority projects” by the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) and currently has two of those priority projects – the Gillespie to Newton Project and the Twin Buttes to McCamey D Project -- pending at the PUC. The two other priority projects (i.e., the McCamey D to Kendall Project and the Kendall to Gillespie Project) will be filed together in a single request for certification at the PUC on July 6, 2010. The Service’s EIS is not being prepared in connection with the PUC filings. Rather, the Service will prepare an EIS in connection with LCRA TSC’s application for an incidental take permit covering the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, and potentially other federally-listed species. The federal EIS to be prepared by the Service will include all of the area involved with all of LCRA TSC’s priority lines. Since May 2009, LCRA TSC has held 28 public open houses on the projects as part of the public participation phase of the PUC’s certification process. More than 3,500 people attended those meetings to give information and to learn about the projects. As ordered by the PUC, LCRA TSC will build, own, and operate about 600 miles of new and rebuilt existing transmission lines and facilities that will total about $700 million in costs, according to PUC estimates. This is part of a greater estimated $4.9 billion program intended to transmit power produced from wind generators in areas of West Texas and the Panhandle to areas of high energy demand throughout the state. Press release: March 1, 2010 More than 1,570 people attended open houses hosted by LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) for a new proposed transmission line project to be built in parts of Schleicher, Sutton, Menard, Kimble, Mason, Gillespie, Kerr and Kendall counties. LCRA TSC hosted nine open houses in Junction, Menard, Mason, Fredericksburg, Eldorado, Kerrville and Sonora from Feb. 15 through 24 to inform citizens about the projects and to gather public input concerning line routing for the McCamey D-to-Kendall-to-Gillespie project. LCRA TSC urges those open house attendees who took questionnaires home to complete them and put them in the mail or fax them by the deadline of Wednesday, March 10. Others who want to comment can find the open house questionnaires online at www.lcra.org/crez. The transmission project is part of a greater estimated $4.9 billion project intended to allow for reliable and cost-effective delivery of power produced from wind generators located in areas of West Texas and the Panhandle, called Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ), to areas of high energy demand throughout the state. The CREZ effort will significantly increase Texas’ current electric transmission capacity for wind power. Texas leads the nation in wind energy production, according to the American Wind Energy Association. LCRA TSC will file its application to amend its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN), which is required before construction can begin, for the McCamey D-to-Kendall-to-Gillespie project with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) by July 6, 2010. The application will include information about a preferred route and alternative routes for the new lines. The routes must be approved by the PUC before LCRA TSC can begin construction. The PUC will select which route and structure type will be constructed. The PUC ordered LCRA TSC to build the new transmission lines in part to increase the reliability of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas grid and increase the transfer of wind and other power into various parts of the state. Several other transmission service providers also will build CREZ-related lines totaling about 2,400 miles. As ordered by the PUC, LCRA TSC will build, own and operate about 600 miles of new and rebuilt existing transmission lines and facilities that will total about $700 million, according to PUC estimates. For more information on line routing, study area maps and more about CREZ-related projects, see http://www.lcra.org/crez. Press release: Feb. 16, 2010 Media Contact: John Williams, 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3227 AUSTIN — Seventy-eight members of LCRA’s seven regional councils met to discuss electric, water and other issues important to the communities they represent at an all-day “roundup” meeting Feb. 10 at LCRA facilities in Austin. LCRA hosted the meeting in Austin for council members to meet one another and discuss with LCRA staff such topics as water supply, drought management, electric generation and transmission operations and planning, and LCRA’s financial operations. The members of the seven regional councils represent the diverse interests of their communities in LCRA’s water and electric service areas. The council members are appointed by the LCRA Board of Directors. “LCRA’s regional councils serve as a vital communications link between LCRA and communities we serve,” said Gail Oliver, LCRA manager of Public Affairs. “Council members are able to discuss with LCRA staff the challenges and issues facing local communities and let us know what local residents think about those issues.” The councils provide input and discuss regional issues related to LCRA’s mission, which is to provide energy, water and community services and to help ensure the protection and constructive use of natural resources in the lower Colorado River basin. The councils meet every two months with LCRA staff to provide feedback, help identify and analyze regional issues, and consider solutions. Representatives attended from the following councils: · San Saba/Llano Regional Council (representing Hamilton, Kimble, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Mills, San Saba counties): Terry Bray, Teresa King, David Leonard, Rob Lindsey, Martha Long, Tracey O'Shay, John Parks, James Stewart, A. Earl Theiss, Sam Warren and Robert Yantis. · Pedernales Regional Council (representing Bandera, Blanco, Comal, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr counties): Marianne Bonenberger, Gary Guenthner, Edgar Hullum, Tim Lehmberg, Robert W. Moss, Alfred Weinzierl, Charles Wilson and James Wright. · Buchanan/Inks Regional Council (representing Burnet and Llano counties): Ronald Abshier, George A. Bold, Ray Buchanan, Steve Buchanan, Candace Cooke, Tom Harrison, Tyler Robertson, Jim Smitherman, William Wenson and Michael Wortham. · LBJ/Marble Falls Regional Council (representing Burnet and Llano counties): Sylvia Breen, Bill Brooks, Joe Don Dockery, Stan Farmer, Mary Ann Hefner, Charles Henicke, Neal Kennedy, Mike Kersey, Frank Ligon, Jayne Mortensen and William Plumley. · Travis/Austin Regional Council (representing Travis, Hays and Williamson counties): Tony Adsley, Daniel E. Arredondo, Jimmie Cypert, Roger Durden, David Gavenda, Victor Gonzales, Katherine Holtz, Warren Ketteman, Willie J. Kopecky, F. Scott LaGrone, Marceline Lasater, Hondo Powell and Mildred Schaefer. · Bastrop/Fayette Regional Council (representing Bastrop and Fayette counties): Joe Bailey, Douglas R. Borchardt, Philip Cook, James A. Cowan, Mark Johnson, Gene Kruppa, Michael Kuck, Adena Lewis, Cathy Meek, Carol Babcock Muegge, Sherry Murphy, Rebecca Musser, Timothy Pylant, Philip A. Ruiz, Tony Tavary and Mike G. Wallace. · Colorado/Wharton/Matagorda Regional Council (representing Colorado, Wharton, Matagorda and Lavaca (Hallettsville only) counties): Owen Bludau, Jim Brasher, Rebecca Cole Dutcher, Andres Garza, Jr., Sam Kana, Domingo Montalvo, Jr., Mike O'Day, Leeanna Shimek and William Younger. ------------------------------------------ LCRA TSC HOSTS SEVEN TRANSMISSION PROJECT OPEN HOUSES IN FEBRUARY TO GATHER PUBLIC INPUT For Immediate Release: Jan. 29, 2010 Media Contact: Gaylon Finklea Hecker, 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 3221 LCRA Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) invites the public to attend open houses planned in February in Junction, Menard, Mason, Fredericksburg, Eldorado, Kerrville and Sonora concerning a new transmission line project expected to be built by 2013. The project may impact Schleicher, Sutton, Menard, Kimble, Mason, Kerr, Kendall and Gillespie counties. LCRA TSC will host the “come-and-go” style open houses as an opportunity to inform citizens about the McCamey D-to-Kendall-to-Gillespie Transmission Project and to gather public input concerning line routing. The transmission lines will move wind power from northern Schleicher County to substations in Kendall and Gillespie counties. The open houses will not include a formal presentation. Rather, attendees may visit the open houses anytime during the posted hours. They are encouraged to ask questions of staff, view aerial photography maps to locate their property, and peruse at their leisure a number of exhibits that explain the project, the line siting process, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) approval process and other related topics. Each open house is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., except in Junction, where the time is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Also, in Junction and Fredericksburg, the public may attend open houses mid-day and/or evening. The open houses will be held at these locations: · Junction ─ Monday, Feb. 15; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Coke R. Stevenson Memorial Center, 440 N. U.S. Highway 83 · Menard ─ Tuesday, Feb. 16; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Menard Community Center, 301 W. Travis St. · Mason ─ Wednesday, Feb. 17; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Mason Community Building, Fort Mason City Park, 1051 San Antonio St. LCRA TSC hosted several open houses for this project in May 2009. Since that time, the original study area has been expanded, and several new route segments have been added. LCRA TSC is hosting the February open houses to inform and gather input from the potentially affected landowners located along the new route segments added since last May. Almost 3,450 letters concerning the open houses were scheduled to be mailed on Jan. 29 to potentially affected landowners. LCRA TSC mailed similar letters earlier to elected officials and others. These newly noticed landowners are located along the new route segments that were added for study last fall at the joint request of LCRA TSC and the PUC. Those are routes along and/or in the rights of way of U.S. Highway 277 and Interstate 10; routes running parallel to an existing 138-kilovolt (kV) line that traverses Menard, Mason and Gillespie counties; and routes running parallel to and in the same corridor as certain proposed segments for the Kendall-to-Gillespie project, north of the Kendall Station. In May 2009, LCRA TSC sent more than 4,100 letters to landowners, elected officials and others in the original study area. More than 1,900 people registered at the open houses held at that time in San Angelo, Christoval, Junction, Harper, Comfort, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Llano, Burnet and Lampasas for this project and the related Gillespie-to-Newton Project. The addition of the new routes does not eliminate any routes currently being considered by LCRA TSC, nor does it mean that any of the new routes will be selected by the PUC for construction. All potentially affected landowners originally notified in May 2009 are still considered “noticed,” although they may not receive a new notice at this time. It is important that those potentially affected landowners who received notices last year remain engaged in the process. The PUC has directed LCRA TSC to provide several geographically diverse routes to consider for selection. After consulting with PUC staff, reviewing a large amount of public input and considering numerous routing proposals, LCRA TSC and PUC staff requested and were granted a motion to delay the Certificate of Convenience and Necessity filing for this project in order to study the feasibility of the additional routes. Route description LCRA TSC proposes to construct two new, 345-kV transmission lines, primarily on double-circuit capable lattice structures. The first transmission line will be a double-circuit line that will connect the designated McCamey D Station, to be located in northern Schleicher County, to the existing Kendall Station, located in western Kendall County. LCRA TSC will install both circuits on this transmission line. The first transmission line may be located in portions of Schleicher, Sutton, Menard, Kimble, Mason, Llano, Gillespie, Kerr and Kendall counties. The second transmission line will connect the existing Kendall Station, located in western Kendall County, to the existing Gillespie Station, located in central Gillespie County. LCRA TSC initially will install one circuit on double-circuit capable lattice structures, which will accommodate a second circuit when necessary. The second transmission line may be located in portions of Kerr, Kendall and Gillespie counties. Transmission capacity for wind power to increase LCRA TSC’s new transmission lines are part of a greater estimated $4.9 billion project intended to allow for reliable and cost-effective delivery of power produced from wind generators located in areas of West Texas and the Panhandle, called Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ), to areas of high energy demand throughout the state. The CREZ effort will significantly increase Texas’ current electric transmission capacity for wind power. As ordered by the PUC, LCRA TSC will build, own and operate about 600 miles of new and rebuilt existing transmission lines and facilities that will total about $700 million, according to PUC estimates. Several other transmission service providers also will build CREZ-related lines totaling about 2,400 miles. By July 6, 2010, LCRA TSC must submit to the PUC an application to amend its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, which is required before construction can begin. The application package will include information about a preferred route and alternative routes for the new lines. The final route for each of LCRA TSC’s CREZ-related projects must be selected and approved by the PUC before LCRA TSC can begin construction. The PUC will select the route to build and will designate the structures used in the route’s construction. Estimates are that the route from McCamey D to Kendall could be approximately between 128 miles and 165 miles long, depending on the route approved by the PUC. The estimated length of the routes from Kendall to Gillespie is about 28 to 33 miles. After LCRA TSC files a preferred route and several alternative routes with the PUC, the public will have a chance to intervene with the PUC in its decision-making process. For more information about these and other CREZ-related projects, look online at www.lcra.org/crez. Select the individual project for line-specific information. You can also contact Sara Morgenroth, regulatory case manager, at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 4151. About LCRA TSC LCRA Transmission Services Corporation is a nonprofit corporation created by LCRA to build, own, and operate transmission lines and related facilities throughout Texas. LCRA TSC owns and leases about 4,400 miles of transmission lines and other facilities that are part of the state’s electric grid. LCRA TSC pays local and state taxes. About LCRA The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is a nonprofit conservation and reclamation district that provides energy, water and community services to Texans. Created by the Texas Legislature in 1934, LCRA has no taxing authority and operates solely on utility revenues and service fees. LCRA supplies electricity to more than 1.1 million Texans through more than 40 wholesale customers. LCRA also provides many other services in the region. These services include managing floods, protecting the quality of the lower Colorado River and its tributaries, providing parks and recreational facilities, offering economic development assistance, operating water and wastewater utilities, and providing soil, energy, and water conservation programs.  Air envelops the Earth and makes life possible. Humans breathe in about 35 pounds of air everyday!  Many air molecules build up air pressure  Some of air’s gases remain fairly constant. So you can see Air is more than just air. Most of all living being need it. When we produce air pollution  we lower the quality of our air. If air pollution gets too high humans get sick or die.
Humans and all mammals | need healthy air to survive!  Air and water vapor = clouds |
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