Proposed transmission lines that would run from Round Rock to Cedar Park and Leander garnered more than 3 hours of public testimony Thursday morning during a Public Utilities Commission of Texas meeting from residents and government entities that would be affected.
The Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corp. is looking to build a 138-kilovolt 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 officials have stated the line is needed to address the growing demand for electricity in the area.
An administrative law judge issued a proposal for decisions March 22 recommending route COL-1, which runs along a portion of CR 175.[/caption]
The LCRA submitted a list of proposed routes to the state utility commission in April 2016 and referred the case to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. An administrative law judge issued a proposal for decisions recommending a transmission line route March 22. The judge recommended route COL-1, which runs along CR 175 for a portion of the route.
Many residents, who were among the 50-plus people who spoke Thursday, criticized the proposed route along CR 175. Several suggested another route, LHO-1, saying the transmission lines would be better suited along Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
Sue Wiseman, a Leander resident who lives off CR 175, said her property has been in her family stretching back to her grandparents. She said their property has been “taken” by the same cities in the past for a roadway widening and for the installation of a 48-inch water line.
Many residents, who were among the 50-plus people who spoke Thursday, criticized the proposed route along CR 175. Several suggested another route, LHO-1, saying the transmission lines would be better suited along Ronald Reagan Boulevard.[/caption]
“And now these same three cities are throwing us under the bus,” she said. “They feel that this transmission line shouldn’t go really through most of their city limits, especially Cedar Park, and Leander, and Round Rock. It would be detrimental to their citizens, but it benefits their citizens’ growth. It benefits their cities.”
Cedar Park City Manager Brenda Eivens said population growth has greatly impacted the region, and the cities recognize the need for the transmission line and substations. She also pointed out the three cities involved—Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock—have substations and transmission lines inside the city limits.
“I represent 70,000 residents in Cedar Park, and another 15,000 in our [extra-territorial jurisdiction],” she said. “I understand the concerns that are there, but I also understand the need and the requirements to balance all of those various interests.”
Leander Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis said the process to narrow down a route has been difficult for the parties involved, and the transmission lines are necessary due to the increasing population.
“Growth is not going to stop, regardless of the route that is selected,” he said.
The public utility commissioners asked questions of some of the residents and representatives.
“I know there’s a tendency to think, ‘Oh, this is just to benefit the new folks moving in’—it’s not, it’s everybody,” Commissioner Kenneth Anderson Jr. said. “Because that increase in electricity consumption will affect everybody if there’s a problem.”
The commissioners opted not to make a decision on the proposed route during the May 4 meeting. The commission’s next open meeting is May 18.
An administrative law judge issued a proposal for decisions March 22 recommending route COL-1, which runs along a portion of CR 175.[/caption]
The LCRA submitted a list of proposed routes to the state utility commission in April 2016 and referred the case to the State Office of Administrative Hearings. An administrative law judge issued a proposal for decisions recommending a transmission line route March 22. The judge recommended route COL-1, which runs along CR 175 for a portion of the route.
Many residents, who were among the 50-plus people who spoke Thursday, criticized the proposed route along CR 175. Several suggested another route, LHO-1, saying the transmission lines would be better suited along Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
Sue Wiseman, a Leander resident who lives off CR 175, said her property has been in her family stretching back to her grandparents. She said their property has been “taken” by the same cities in the past for a roadway widening and for the installation of a 48-inch water line.
Many residents, who were among the 50-plus people who spoke Thursday, criticized the proposed route along CR 175. Several suggested another route, LHO-1, saying the transmission lines would be better suited along Ronald Reagan Boulevard.[/caption]
“And now these same three cities are throwing us under the bus,” she said. “They feel that this transmission line shouldn’t go really through most of their city limits, especially Cedar Park, and Leander, and Round Rock. It would be detrimental to their citizens, but it benefits their citizens’ growth. It benefits their cities.”
Cedar Park City Manager Brenda Eivens said population growth has greatly impacted the region, and the cities recognize the need for the transmission line and substations. She also pointed out the three cities involved—Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock—have substations and transmission lines inside the city limits.
“I represent 70,000 residents in Cedar Park, and another 15,000 in our [extra-territorial jurisdiction],” she said. “I understand the concerns that are there, but I also understand the need and the requirements to balance all of those various interests.”
Leander Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis said the process to narrow down a route has been difficult for the parties involved, and the transmission lines are necessary due to the increasing population.
“Growth is not going to stop, regardless of the route that is selected,” he said.
The public utility commissioners asked questions of some of the residents and representatives.
“I know there’s a tendency to think, ‘Oh, this is just to benefit the new folks moving in’—it’s not, it’s everybody,” Commissioner Kenneth Anderson Jr. said. “Because that increase in electricity consumption will affect everybody if there’s a problem.”
The commissioners opted not to make a decision on the proposed route during the May 4 meeting. The commission’s next open meeting is May 18.
