Allen East Allen East, Director of Customer Service for the west region for Entergy Texas, spoke at the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday.[/caption]

Allen East, Director of Customer Service for the west region for Entergy Texas, spoke about the Western Region Economic Project at the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday.

The project has drawn opposition from Montgomery County Commissioners Court and residents of the Lake Conroe area. Opposition stems from one of the possible routes—route EF—which could cross Lake Conroe along the FM 1097 corridor.

The project is a part of a grander effort to expand the capacity of Entergy Texas’ electrical grid to meet demand from projected population growth in the region. The company also plans to build a new power plant near its exiting facility in Willis.

  1. The project will establish a new 230-kilovolt transmission line between Willis and Shiro.

  2. One of the possible routes for the project—route EF—is one of more than 30 possible routes that Entergy Texas is considering. The route crosses Lake Conroe along the FM 1097 corridor. The decision on the final routes will be narrowed down by the end of the year.

  3. The company will present possible route options to the Public Utility Commission of Texas for selection and approval in early 2017.

  4. Entergy Texas will invest about $1 billion in a new power plant in Willis. The plant will create 2,800 jobs during its construction.

  5. The cost of the transmission line project has not been determined.

  6. The company will host public information meetings once the number of possible transmission line routes is reduced. Residents living within 300-feet of the proposed routes will receive a letter from Entergy Texas regarding public meetings.