From PCPC Staff
LIVINGSTON — Entergy Texas Inc., an electric utility company providing service to more than half a million customers in 27 counties, plans to construct a new single-circuit 500 kilovolt transmission line approximately 130 miles in length over East Texas.
On May 7, the company held a public meeting at the Polk County Commerce Center to discuss possible routes for the SETEX Area Reliability Project’s transmission line.
A few hundred residents from counties including Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler and Walker that could be impacted by the line attended to voice concerns and submit answers to a questionnaire. It was the first of three open house meetings, with another Wednesday in Willis and third Thursday in Jasper.
Many in attendance were concerned about proposed options on or near their property. All impacted by the lines were notified via mail. Available at the meeting was a copy of the Landowner’s Bill of Rights, and several ETI employees to answer questions and concerns.
The Landowner’s Bill of Rights applies to any attempt to condemn a resident’s property. The contents are set out by the Texas Legislature in the Texas Government Code. Any entity exercising imminent domain authority must provide a copy.
Landowners are entitled to receive adequate compensation if property is condemned. It can only be condemned for public use by a governmental or private entity authorized by law to do so. That entity must notify the landowner that it intends to condemn the property. A written appraisal from a certified appraiser detailing adequate compensation must also be provided.
Landowners can hire an appraiser or real estate professional, as well as an attorney for representation during condemnation proceedings. Adequate compensation typically means market value of the property being condemned or include certain damages if the remaining property’s market value is diminished. Other compensation could include displacement from a residence or place of business.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas will ultimately decide the project’s route, that will typically utilize steel structures centered within a right-of-way up to 225 feet wide.
The new line will connect the proposed Babel 500 kilovolt switching station to the proposed Running Bear Substation. The proposed Babel station would be constructed at one of three potential locations and connect into the existing Layfield to Hartburg 500 kilovolt transmission line south of Toledo Bend Reservoir in Newton County.
The proposed Running Bear Substation is planned to extend from one of four potential locations that will connect into either ETI’s existing Lewis Creek facilities along Longstreet Road between Lake Conroe and Interstate Highway 45 or ETI’s existing transmission facilities east of Willis between FM 1097 and County Line Road in Montgomery County.
The project is needed to comply with reliability standards set forth by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. It meets the requirements detailed for load serving capability criteria in constrained regions of the system. It will also increase operational flexibility to help meet a growing power demand in Southeast Texas, increasing reliability and resiliency during extreme events.
ETI’s western region has grown by approximately 5 percent per year over the past five years, and the Houston Metro area has expanded into ETI’s service territory. Transmission upgrades have improved load serving capabilities over the years, but the area remains constrained as growth continues. ETI cited Winter Storm Uri as an extreme event where the SETEX Area Reliability Project would improve load serving capabilities.
The PUCT has the final say on the project and the route based on ETI’s application to amend its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity. That certificate includes a routing study conducted by third-party consulting firm POWER Engineers, Inc. and the public’s input as it relates to the project, including siting of the new electric facilities.
POWER Engineers, Inc. also served as routing consultants, after developing a study by gathering data, maps, aerial photos and input from federal and state agencies and local officials.
The project will use predominantly steel single-circuit structures, with typical transmission structures supporting 500 kilovolt lines approximately 100-140 feet above the ground, with span links of approximately 800-1,200 feet between structures.
To find more information on the SETEX Area Reliability Project, an online open house can be found at https://beta.power-viz.com/setex/ that answers questions and allows input.
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