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 before the 181st day after the applications were filed at the PUC.
The referral orders include several issues that must be addressed in the docket, including adequacy of the applications, notice, whether the applications meet the Commission’s filing requirements, and whether the applications meet the CREZ requirements. The most important issues to landowners are several routing questions, including which route is the best alternative and whether there are alternative routes that would have a less negative impact on landowners.
The referral orders states that compensation issues are not to be addressed, and, because the lines are CREZ projects, whether the proposed transmission lines are necessary.
Renewable energy developers in the competitive renewable energy zone served by the lines must post financial commitments within 45 days of the filing of the applications.