Recent updates from Save Our Scenic Hill Country Environment

Gillespie (Fredericksburg area) to Newton (Lampasas County) CREZ transmission line

(1) SOSHCE filed Comments with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) stating that SOSHCE strongly protests LCRA TSC’s planned predominate use of lattice tower structures and continued ordering of lattice materials. Additional information was attached that included support for the use of monopoles. The Comments were posted on the PUC website on December 28, 2010 and can be accessed from the Resolutions & Legislation page on the SOSHCE website: http://soshillcountry.org/.

(2) LCRA TSC issued a news release on January 8, 2010 entitled “LCRA TSC files information with Public Utility Commission on potential use of different transmission line structures”. The release stated that LCRA TSC recently provided new information to the PUC on the potential use of concrete poles. A LCRA manager commented “If the PUC tells us to build something other than lattice towers, then we will use what we already bought on other projects or sell the materials.” The full release can be accessed from the following link: http://www.lcra.org/newsstory/2010/transmissionlinestructures.html.

(3) SOSHCE filed supplemental Comments that stated SOSHCE continues to strongly protest LCRA TSC’s continuing proposed use of lattice structure structures, particularly in light of new information that indicates concrete monopoles are likely usable and will have a much smaller incremental cost than steel monopoles. Additional information was attached that utilized the LCRA TSC information to show that the lower cost for concrete poles makes it even more imperative that they be used to minimize degradation of the Hill Country. The supplemental Comments were posted on the PUC website on January 23, 2010 and can be accessed from the SOSHCE website. In testimony filed January 26, 2010, a LCRA TSC representative stated that spun concrete poles cannot be used exclusively for this line.

(4) A District Court judge issued a Final Judgment on January 15, 2010 that reversed and remanded the PUC decision in the transmission service provider selection Docket No. 35665. It also ordered that the plaintiff’s requests for declaratory and injunctive relief be severed from the administrative appeal. The judgment can be accessed from the PUC website under Docket 37448-717.

(5) The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) denied on January 28, 2010 a motion to dismiss the current Gillespie to Newton case that was based on the District Court judgment. The ALJ concluded the party that filed the motion provided insufficient argument and authority to dismiss the case. The related ALJ’s motion is accessible from the PUC website (Docket 37448-899).

(6) The Administrative Law Judge has indicated that the Hearing on the Merits is scheduled to start on February 4, 2010 and will continue until concluded. The schedule she provided has the dates of February 4-5 and 8-12, 2010 shown for the hearing.

McCamey D (Eldorado/San Angelo area) to Kendall (Comfort area) to Gillespie (Fredericksburg area) CREZ transmission line

(1) LCRA TSC is in the process of distributing information on the open house meetings and the additional preliminary route segments associated with the expanded study area.

The information for meetings is as follows:
• Junction: Mon., Feb. 15; 11am- 1pm; 6pm-8pm; Coke R. Stevenson Memorial Center
• Menard: Tue., February 16; 6pm- 8pm; Menard Community Center
• Mason: Wed., Feb. 17; 6pm- 8pm; Mason Community Building
• Fredericksburg: Thur., Feb. 18; 11am- 1pm; 6pm- 8pm; Pioneer Pavilion
• Eldorado: Mon., Feb. 22; 6pm- 8pm; Schleicher County Civic Center
• Kerrville: Tue., Feb. 23; 6pm- 8pm; Schreiner University, Cailloux Campus Activity Center
• Sonora: Wed., Feb. 24; 6pm- 8pm; Sutton County Civic Center

The Alternative Route Segments maps can be accessed from the Issues & Information page of the SOSHCE website.

Related information is accessible from the following link to the LCRA website: http://www.lcra.org/energy/trans/crez/mccameydkg.html.

(2) The Mason Sub-regional Planning Commission (MSRPC) met with representatives of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) on January 12, 2010. The MSRPC requested TPWD to help the commission by joining them to demand LCRA perform the proper Environmental Impact Statement for the Mason region.

General

(1) SOSHCE helped organize a December 19, 2009 meeting to obtain more information on the possibility of forming a sub-regional planning commission in Gillespie County. The meeting was hosted by the Gillespie County Economic Development Commission and included representatives of a number of area organizations and principals of the American Stewards of Liberty, the organization that has led the development of the sub-regional planning commission approach. A decision by Gillespie County on the possibility of forming a sub-regional planning commission has not been finalized. Concerns raised by the Chief Counsel for the County Judges & Commissioners Association of Texas are under consideration.

(2) A Petition by concerned citizens of Gillespie County was submitted to the PUC. It indicated the petition seeks to preserve the inherent beauty and value of Gillespie County from the impending CREZ transmission lines by (a) installing the lines underground in developed, populated, historical, and recreational areas, (b) using steel monopoles in all other areas of the County rather than lattice towers, and (c) increasing the distance between the centerline of the line easement and habitable structures to 1,400 feet. Supporting information was included. The petition was signed by 520 people and was posted on the PUC website (Docket 37448-422) on December 23, 2009.

(3) The responses to our annual fund raising efforts are appreciated. For those who would still like to contribute, checks can be mailed to: SOSHCE 10212 Ranch Road 965 Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Your interest and support are appreciated. Please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.