Salado - Hutto 345 kV Transmission Project

As the Central Texas region continues to grow, it is important to take steps to ensure that a reliable electric system is in place to support high load growth areas. Specifically, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC proposes to construct a 345 kV electric transmission line interconnecting the existing Oncor Hutto Switching Station in Williamson County with the existing Oncor Salado Substation in Bell County that will be expanded to include switching facilities. The Oncor project is one part of a two-part regional system project, with responsibilities for the entire project divided with the Lower Colorado River Authority, that mitigates electric system congestion in the Central Texas region. The Oncor project will provide improvements in reliability and support for high load growth areas, specifically near the cities of Hutto, Round Rock and north Austin suburbs and surrounding environs that are demonstrating high levels of projected load growth. In addition, the completion of the entire two-part project will mitigate millions of dollars in congestion costs in the Central Texas area resulting in savings in electricity production costs that will ultimately be passed on to electric consumers.

• Voltage and Structure Type - The project is proposed to be a 345 kV transmission line constructed on Lattice Steel V Towers.

• Public Meeting - A Public Meeting Notice, which includes a map of the study area for the project was mailed to public officials and potentially affected landowners and published in the local newspapers. The noticed meetings were held in Salado on April 3, 2006 and in Hutto on April 4, 2006.
• Application - On July 10, 2007 Oncor filed an Application at the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to construct and operate the proposed project. The Application includes a route map that shows the preferred and alternate routes included by Oncor. Oncor's Application was designated Docket No. 34440 at the PUCT. Oncor's Application and other documents filed at the PUCT in Docket No. 34440 can be viewed on the PUCT Website.
• Public Notice - A Public Notice announcing the filing of Oncor's application in Docket No. 34440 was published in local newspapers. Cities, counties, and landowners potentially affected by the Application were mailed or hand delivered a notice of the filing of the application.
• Procedural Schedule - Order No. 6 in Docket No. 34440 adopted a Procedural Schedule that sets out the dates for the administration of Oncor's application. Interested parties should be advised that the Procedural Schedule is potentially subject to change and should regularly consult the PUCT Website regarding any subsequent scheduling modifications.
• Hearing - A Hearing regarding Oncor’s Application was held on May 5-6, 2008 at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
• PUCT Decision - On October 6, 2008, the PUCT issued this Final Order.