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Lone star crez transmission line update

With the help of Horizon, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas has approved Lone Star Transmission LLC.’s application to construct one of the largest electric transmission line projects ever constructed in Texas, which was filed in Docket No. 38230 on May 24, 2010.

Prior to the hearing in Docket No. 38230, Lone Star successfully settled with landowners on the location of the approximately 36-mile segment of the project from the Sam Switch substation to the Navarro substation near Corsicana, Texas. The Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) severed this segment and moved it to PUC Docket No. 38642 for administrative approval. The PUC approved the settlement and issued a Final Order on October 22, 2010, granting Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) No. 30196 to Lone Star to construct the Sam Switch to Navarro segment.

Horizon Principal Shannon Dorsey served as Lone Star’s expert witness during the hearing process before the ALJs with regard to endangered species issues that were identified during our field assessment of the proposed transmission line right of way.  On November 10, 2010, the PUC considered the Proposal for Decision issued by the ALJs and approved the routes recommended by the ALJs. The Final Order was issued on November 17, 2010, amending Lone Star’s CCN to approve construction of the segments from Central A to Central C and Central C to Sam Switch.

Lone Star will build over 300 miles of new transmission lines to bring wind-generated electricity from areas of West Texas to consumers throughout the state. The transmission lines cross the following counties: Scurry, Fisher, Jones, Mitchell, Taylor, Callahan, Shackelford, Stephens, Eastland, Palo Pinto, Erath, Comanche, Somervell, Johnson, Bosque, Hill, and Navarro.

Horizon is proud to have supported the selection of the ordered route and to be currently providing all environmental field services, along with our subcontractor, prior to construction. These efforts include endangered species surveys of the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, and whooping crane stopover habitat, cultural resource and archeological surveys, “waters of the US” determinations and permitting efforts, as well as preparation of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans.  We are also looking forward to providing all environmental monitoring efforts during construction to assure that no environmental regulatory violations occur during the construction of the transmission line.  Construction is scheduled to begin in August 2011.

Further information can be found at:

http://www.lonestar-transmission.com