The Public Utility Commission of Texas issued an order on February 12, 2010, suspending the subsequent CREZ projects that were scheduled to be filed between March 1 and July 26. The suspension was necessary because a District Court in Austin issued a final judgment on January 15th, reversing and remanding the Commission’s decision in Docket No. 35665 […]
Texas Power Lines Posts
Dallas Attorney to Author Book on Wind Energy Law
The legal issues surrounding wind energy in Texas continue to gain attention in the legal world. Dallas attorney and wind energy developer Steven DeWolf recently signed on with publisher LexisNexis-Matthew Bender to co-author an upcoming book on legal issues surrounding wind energy. The book, currently titled “Texas Wind Law,” will address the many aspects of Texas […]
Legislature Increases TPWD Influence in CCN Cases
In a recent filing in Docket No. 37260, a TPWD letter briefly notes that a written response to the TPWD recommendations may be required by law. The TPWD letter included several recommendations to protect wildlife resources. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Sec. 12.0011 has for some time identified the department’s resource protection activities: (1) […]
SOAH ALJs Issue Initial Orders in Three Oncor CREZ CCN Application Dockets
Three SOAH ALJs issued orders late last week establishing initial procedural schedules and discovery guidelines. The orders request that Staff file its recommendations as to deficiencies, notice, and procedural schedules on Oct. 7. Docket No. 37407 Docket No. 37408 Docket No. 37409 Due to the expedited nature of the proceedings, the ALJs state that initial prehearing conferences before […]
PUC Grants LCRA’s Request for More Time to Study Hill Country CREZ Routes
On Thursday, Sept. 24th, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) voted to give the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) additional time to study potential routes for the proposed CREZ transmission lines that may affect the Texas Hill Country. The additional time will allow LCRA to expand its study area to review possible routes in […]
Three Oncor CREZ CCN Applications Referred to SOAH
On Sept. 21st, the PUC referred three Oncor CREZ dockets to SOAH and requested assignment of an administrative law judge (ALJ) to conduct a hearing and issue a proposal for decision. Because these CCN applications are related to the Texas CREZ goals, the PUC is required to issue a final order in each of these dockets […]
Sierra Club Urges Expansion of LCRA Hill Country CREZ Study Area
The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club filed comments on the expansion of the LCRA Hill Country study area, saying “it is only logical that LCRA look at the potential of using all or parts of I-10 or existing transmission lines to run the CREZ lines.” The comments, submitted by the chapter’s conservation director, […]
Oncor Files Application, Testimony in Central B-Central A-Tonkawa CREZ CCN Application
On Sept. 16, 2009, Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (Oncor), in Docket No. 37409, submitted its application for a CCN for two new transmission lines for the Central B-Central A-Tonkawa 345 kV double circuit transmission line. The line will extend from Oncor’s Central B Switching Station, located in northwest Scurry County, Texas, to Oncor’s new […]
Oncor Files CREZ CCN Application for Wilbarger, Wichita and Archer Counties
On Sept. 16, 2009, Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC (Oncor), in Docket No. 37408, submitted its application for a CCN for the Riley-Bowman 345 kV double circuit transmission line. Formerly known as the Oklaunion-Bowman project, the line will extend from the Electric Transmission Texas, LLC (ETT) Riley Station, located in the southeastern portion of Wilbarger […]
Texas Power Lines Blog Named “Blawg of the Day”
Tom Mighell’s Inter Alia web site named Texas Power Lines Blog its “Blawg of the Day” on Sept. 16, 2009. The Blawg of the Day selection describes Texas Power Lines Blog as “a great niche blog” and says the blog is “providing some great coverage on what is a really important topic here in Texas.” The American […]