December 29, 2011

Environmental impact of CREZ

December 23rd was the final day to submit public comments for the LCRA draft Environmental Assessment (dEA), draft Habitat Conservation Plan (dHCP) and related Incidental Take Permit (ITP). The Study Area includes six counties (Tom Green, Schleicher, Kimble, Kerr, Gillespie and Kendall) The impacts of these 18-story high lattice towers used to build 178 miles of industrial scale transmission lines (known as CREZ projects) will change the Hill Country region forever. Hearings will be set soon, you can find out more and review documents at USFW. Comments filed by SOSHE and CVA are posted on ourCREZ Issue page.

December 6, 2011

Texas’ multibillion-dollar cost to build wind energy lines raises doubts

Texas electricity regulators proposed the $5 billion project a few years ago to bring West Texas wind power to North Texas and Houston. But the markets and the political mood have changed. Carbon dioxide is no longer the most popular foe. Now it’s electricity shortages and blackouts. Read full DallasNews.com article.

November 17, 2011

A recap about LCRA transmission plans and wind power projects in our region

Learn more, get involved and support Save Our Scenic Hill Country Environment (SOSHE). This issue efficiently recaps a recent LCRA presentation about future transmission projects, industrial wind development in Mason County, CREZ and the Ferguson Power Plant replacement project. SOSHE News

August 25, 2011

Cost of Texas Wind Transmission Lines Nears $7 Billion

The cost of building thousands of miles of transmission lines to carry wind power across Texas is now estimated at $6.79 billion, a 38 percent increase from the initial projection three years ago. Ratepayers will ultimately be on the hook for the cost, but no one has begun to see the charges appear on their electric bills yet because the transmission companies building the lines must first get approval from the commission before passing on the costs to customers. Read full Texas Tribune article here.

August 8, 2011

Latest updates from SOSHCE

The Save Our Scenic Hill Country Environment latest news includes information about the CREZ in Kendall County, ERCOT five-year plan, Mason County Wind Development and LCRA’s draft Environmental Impact Statement. Read more

August 3, 2011

Kerrville suit on power line route rejected

A judge in Travis County rejected a lawsuit Tuesday by Kerrville and its electric utility aimed at overturning the Public Utility Commission decision to build a new transmission line beside Interstate 10 from Comfort to west of Junction. Read full San Antonio Express-News article here.

July 6, 2011

Utility commission drops plan for renewable energy mandate

Taking a cue from the Legislature, the Public Utility Commission of Texas has dropped a proposal that would have mandated that electricity generators buy renewable energy other than wind. Read full Statesman.com article here.

July 1, 2011

Scenic Hill Country Update, July 1, 2011

Kerrville’s challenge of the PUC route selection has been scheduled for 2pm, August 2nd in Austin. Potential Wind Farms causes concern in Mason County. Click here to read the latest from SOSHE.

March 30, 2011

Scenic Hill Country updates from SOSHE

Save our Scenic Hill Country Environment (SOSHE) follows the transmission line process and wind farm developments in and around Gillespie County. Learn about the City of Kerrville’s petition process and more here.

March 17, 2011

LCRA Defines Acquisition Plan For Big Hill To Kendall Line

The Lower Colorado River Authority’s real estate service group recently wrapped up a round of informational meetings for landowners in the hill country who are impacted by the Big Hill to Kendall transmission line project. Read full Livestock Weekly article here.

March 24, 2011

Wind Turbines in Mason County?

While attention recently has been focused on the possible CREZ transmission line coming through Mason County, little has been said about an industrial wind farm development that is being considered here. Read full Mason County News article here.

March 8, 2011

The Great Texas Wind Swindle: Property Owners vs. the State

The eastern Texas Panhandle, a land of rolling sand hills, tree-lined creek beds and tall grass vistas, may seem a desolate place to outsiders. Still, it has its beauty, especially to the cattle ranchers and wheat farmers who work and live on it. But not for long. Read full Master Resource article here.

February 22, 2011

Kerrville seeks rehearing for CREZ route; LCRA scheduling meetings for affected landowners

The Save Our Scenic Hill Country Environment (SOSHE) continues to monitor developments related to energy, wind farms and transmission lines through the Hill Country. Learn more here.

February 2, 2011

CREZ Maps posted on LCRA.org

The route chosen by the PUC on January 20th for the McCamey D (renamed Big Hill) to Kendall project is expected to be energized in December 2013. The 140-mile route crosses Schleicher, Sutton, Kimble, Kerr, Kendall and Gillespie counties and is estimated to cost between $330 million and $350 million.Click here to view maps and read more.

January 20, 2011

Mayor Brent Hinckley reports PUC transmission lines decision

Last week appears to mark the end of our local concerns about a large 345Kv Transmission Line being built in Mason County. Read more from the Mason County News here.

January 17, 2011

PUC Carefully Deliberating Fate of Hill Country

At its regularly scheduled Open Meeting last week, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) began the last stage of the process that will result in the construction of a high-voltage Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) transmission line stretching from near San Angelo to Comfort. The commissioners are evaluating evidence and considering intervenor-requested adjustments as they determine the final route for this controversial project –Read more

January 5, 2011

Landowners Recount Daunting Experience of Transmission Line Routing Process

“…when it’s all said and done, I will know that we did everything we could to preserve the Hill Country’s wide open spaces and our way of life for the benefit of future generations. That keeps me going.” stated Bill Neiman. Read the full article by Lorie Woodward Cantu for Texas Wildlife Magazine, a publication of the Texas Wildlife Association here.