The LCRA TSC, which is an arm of the Lower Colorado River Authority that deals with transmission lines, submitted 31 possible routes for a proposed 138-kv line to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas April 28. Of the 31 routes, the LCRA TSC identified one that runs along FM 1431 and Sam Bass Road as the route that "best addresses" the PUC's criteria for placing such lines. The LCRA TSC is looking to build the line to connect two existing power substations—one in Round Rock and one in Leander—to two proposed substations—one in Cedar Park and one in Leander. LCRA TSC officials have stated the lines are needed to address the growing demand for electricity in the area. The LCRA TSC had previously identified segments they might use to site the lines, though they had not identified potential routes until it submitted its docket to the PUC April 28.

Route 31

The route the LCRA TSC states best addresses the PUC's siting criteria is identified as route 31 in LCRA TSC documents. Route 31 starts at the Round Rock substation off Sam Bass Road, then runs north and heads east as it intersects with FM 1431. The route would run along FM 1431 until it reaches the Cedar Park city limits, at which point it would again turn northward and run along Sam Bass Road until it intersects with a proposed substation off Sam Bass Road. Route 31 would then continue following Sam Bass Road further north then head east to connect to the the second proposed substation just off Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Leander, before heading east to connect to the existing substation in Leander. The LCRA TSC said in a statement route 31 was selected as the one the that best addresses the PUC's criteria because it uses an existing transmission line corridor and follows existing rights of way for a "significant portion" of its length. The LCRA TSC states route 31 would minimize effects on newly affected homes within proximity to the project and avoid the Brushy Creek environmentally sensitive area.

Cities' input

The cities of Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock had previously passed resolutions recommending the lines be placed on the route running along FM 1431. Round Rock's resolution only recommended the route going along FM 1431 while Cedar Park and Leander also recommended an alternative route that would run along Arterial H and cut through the Mayfield Ranch subdivision. At the March 10 Round Rock City Council meeting several residents who live in neighborhoods that route 31 would run adjacent to spoke against the proposed route. Jennifer Garcia, who lives in the Vista Oaks neighborhood, said she would oppose the route at the local and state level. Those residents created a web site to voice their concerns at www.save1431.com.

Other routes

The segment running parallel to Brushy Creek Road, identified in LCRA TSC documents as the N3 segment, was included in the list of 31 routes the LCRA sent to the PUC. The segment running parallel to Arterial H was also included in a line route as were segments running north toward Georgetown, which several Round Rock residents identified as their preferred route at the March 10 meeting. Lance Wenmohs, manager of siting and certification at the LCRA, said the river authority aimed to give the PUC many route options. "What you see [in the submitted routes] is a large number of geographically diverse options including routes that could follow along Sam Bass road or Brushy Creek Road or through a quarry," Wenmohs said. "There are myriad options for the PUC."

Moving forward

Wenmohs said though the LCRA TSC submitted 31 line routes, in the administrative proceeding public officials or private landowners who become interveners could submit new alternative routes that the PUC could ultimately end up picking. Wenmohs said interested parties, such as potentially affected homeowners or landowners, have 45 days from April 28—about mid-June—to become interveners with the PUC. As part of the notification process required by the PUC, LCRA TSC has mailed letters to landowners whose land is crossed by a possible route or who own property located within at least 300 feet of a possible route, according to an LCRA TSC statement. The notices include information about how property owners can participate in the proceeding, according to the statement. Wenmohs said once there are interveners the PUC will refer the case to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Wenmohs said an administrative law judge will be assigned the case and about 6 months from April 28 a hearing will be held before the administrative law judge. Wenmohs said the LCRA TSC as well as the interveners will file written testimony as well as participate in discovery, which involves the two parties asking each for information. He said the administrative law judge will write a proposal for decision after the hearing is held. The PFD is the judge's recommendation after hearing the evidence and includes his or her opinion on if the project should move forward and, if so, which route should be built. Wenmohs said the PFD is sent to the PUC commissioners, and they will hold multiple open meetings before identifying the final routes along which the lines will be built. Wenmohs said the contested case process takes about one year from the LCRA TSC's filing. "We would hope to have a decision on the application one year from today," Wenmohs said. To learn more, visit Community Impact Newspaper’s media partner, KVUE, and check out KVUE reporter Christy Millweard’s story, “Group fights LCRA electric lines along 1431.”