The Williamson County Commissioners voted to step in as an intervener during a meeting Tuesday over possible transmission lines from Round Rock to Leander that were proposed by the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The LCRA is looking to build a proposed 138-kv line from two existing power substations in Round Rock and Leander to two proposed substations in Cedar Park and in Leander. The organization submitted 31 possible routes to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas April 28 and identified a route that runs along FM 1431 and Sam Bass Road as one of the top options based on the PUC's siting criteria, which runs close to the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park.

The county commissioners voted 3-0 to file a motion to intervene as an affected party, stating in the motion “the County is concerned about the effect the proposed line will have on its infrastructure, including public roads and other rights of way,” that it “may impact the County’s long-range transportation plans” and the routes “may adversely affect the future development and planning for the County.”

PUC options The LCRA TSC submitted 31 routes to the Public Utilities Commission[/caption]

Multiple county residents went before the commissioners Tuesday and asked them to step in as an intervener. Pecan Creek resident Tim Thornton said he received a packet from LCRA notifying him that he is within 300 feet of a potential substation and told the commissioners he and others in his neighborhood rallied about 130 other owners who oppose the plan.

“I ask that you folks take a stand for the folks in Williamson County that are absolutely opposed to these lines and these power stations being brought in to our communities and next to our families,” he said.

Vista Oaks resident and real estate broker Teresa Emerson said her opposition was not just about the lines being an inconvenience to landowners or a possible issue about health, but that it would also affect both the landowners and the county financially. She said the transmission lines would adversely affect property values, which would affect homeowners, local schools and the budget for county services.

“That data is very well documented and we can see that we all will experience a huge hit in the values of our homes,” she said.

Williamson County Attorney Hal Hawes said filing a motion to intervene will ensure that the county has a seat at the table in future meetings or hearings. He said intervening ensures the county will receive notices of hearings and any documents filed by other interveners.

“It’s very important to understand that during the case, the PUC can only base its decision on evidence, and evidence can only be submitted by parties that intervene,” he said. “So if you don’t intervene, the PUC can’t consider any of your position statements or any of your testimony or any of your disliking of a course or location for a line.”

Commissioner Lisa Birkman said the potential substations and routes would go through county property, so she said Williamson County representatives need to be a part of this case.

“Almost every route, if not every route, would affect county property, so I think we owe it to taxpayers to intervene and make sure our voices are heard,” she said.

Both she and Commissioner Valerie Covey said they are intervening on behalf of the county, and they encouraged property owners who received a letter stating they would be affected to also participate in the process.

“If you don’t [intervene], you wouldn’t be able to be a part of the hearing in the future, so I think it’s key that you do intervene,” Covey said.

Affected parties have 45 days to intervene, and county commissioners said the deadline is June 13.

Birkman said she was not sure if the county intervening would stop the LCRA from building the proposed transmission lines, but she said residents must have a voice in case they need to push for modifications.

“I think we understand that Leander needs power, we’re saying let’s try to do it in the most environmentally friendly way and friendly to the [Southwest Williamson County Regional Park] and also all the people that live there,” she said.