Greenbelt-Cattail-Cherokee 138 kV
Transmission Line Project
Virtual Public Meeting
Greenbelt-Cattail-Cherokee Transmission Line Project
Thank you for your participation in our online engagement! The entire session should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. This virtual public meeting consists of written and visual materials about the project for your review. The virtual public meeting materials will be posted online on June 23, 2020 and will remain available online through the comment period deadline of July 7, 2020.
Language Translation
To translate the content of the meeting, use the following options.
Para traducir el contenido de la reunión, use las siguientes opciones.
Meeting Notice and Accommodations
If you need assistance or special accommodations, please call and leave a message at 713-335-1918.
How to Navigate
- Click on the arrows on the right side of your screen.
- Use the navigation bar at the left of your screen to revisit any part of the meeting.
- Click through all 13 slides to view all materials.
- Provide a comment at any point by clicking the “Comment” button at the top right of your screen. You may close the form to continue through the slides. Once finished, please make sure to hit "Submit" to confirm that your comment is sent.
Who We Are
Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP)
Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) is an electricity transmission and distribution service provider:
- We provide electricity to more than 255,000 homes and businesses throughout Texas.
- Our headquarters is in Lewisville, Texas, with about 400 employees in more than 20 communities, including Texas City, throughout the state.
- We are a subsidiary of PNM Resources Inc.
- Our formal name is Texas-New Mexico Power Co., but we now serve only Texas.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers -- representing about 90 percent of the state’s electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 46,500 miles of transmission lines and 650+ generation units. It also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Texas Legislature.
Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is the state agency that was created by the Texas Legislature to provide statewide regulation of the rates and services of electric and telecommunications utilities.
Project Description
Where is the project happening and what is taking place?
Project description
TNMP proposes to construct approximately three miles of new transmission line in Galveston County, Texas. The new 138 kilovolt (kV) transmission line will connect the existing Greenbelt Substation located on the northwest corner of the intersection of 27th Street South and 5th Avenue South to the proposed Cattail Substation located northeast of the intersection of 6th Street South and 2nd Avenue South. The proposed transmission line will then proceed from the proposed Cattail Substation to the existing Cherokee Substation located approximately 0.15 miles southwest of the intersection of 14th Street South and TX 197 Loop South.
Texas City is home to a number of petrochemical facilities and other industrial power users. ERCOT, the regional transmission organization responsible for overseeing the adequate supply of electricity for 80 percent of Texas, designated this project to continue electric reliability in the region. This transmission line project will directly support the area’s economic development and ensure reliable electric service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download FAQ as PDFProject Location
Click image to expand.
PUC Process
Public Utility Commission Certification Process for Transmission Lines
Click image to expand.
Constraints Map
Preliminary transmission line links were identified on an overlay of the composite environmental and land use constraints map. The route links are preliminary line segments developed following field reconnaissance and review of environmental and social constraints. Not all route links will be constructed. Rather, one route will be determined by the PUCT. These preliminary links were developed based upon maximizing the use of routing opportunity areas while avoiding areas of high environmental constraints or conflicting land uses. Recent aerial photography was used as the background of the composite constraints overlay to identify optimal locations for the preliminary transmission line link centerlines.
Structure Examples
The proposed construction for the transmission line will utilize steel monopole structures that range from approximately 50 to 150 feet tall in a right-of-way that will range from 25 to 50 feet wide.
Construction Timing and Methods
TNMP plans to file the Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) in September of 2020. The PUCT has one year to make a decision on the project; however, the PUCT can issue an order prior to that time. The Company will begin construction upon final approval by the PUCT. TNMP anticipates that the project will be completed no later than August of 2022.
Surveying
Surveying of the proposed transmission line right-of-way (ROW) is required to locate the centerline, the structure locations, obstacles above and below ground, and the edges of both new and existing ROW.
Clearing
Tree and shrub clearing may be needed in areas where new ROW is acquired. If a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is required, it will be implemented along the approved route prior to the start of clearing. Mechanized cutters and hand tools will be used to remove impeding vegetation to ground level.
Structure Placement
Specialized wide-track vehicles and line trucks with trailers will be used to transport construction materials along the ROW to the structure locations. The structures will be assembled on-site, and a large crane would be used to set the poles on a concrete pier or vibratory driven caisson.
The concrete foundations or caissons, will be installed before the steel poles are erected. Concrete foundations will be allowed to cure and reach their maximum strength. The steel poles will be delivered and set next to the proposed structure location shortly before structure erection.
Conductor and Static Wire Installation
Once the structures have been erected, the stringing and clipping-in of conductors and static wires will begin. Outages on the rerouted transmission line are a possibility during the conductor and static wire installation. However, additional outages on other lines that will be crossed during the install are not anticipated. Each road crossing will have temporary guard poles installed for public protection while stringing in the new conductors.
Cleanup
Cleanup operations will be performed as construction activities are completed. Cleanup includes removal of debris, unused materials, and trash. Any necessary soil stabilization and reestablishing of vegetative cover will also occur during cleanup, following the procedures dictated in the SWPPP, if required. Pre-construction contours will also be restored following construction.
Comment and Contact
Thank you for attending the Greenbelt-Cattail-Cherokee Transmission Line Project Virtual Public Meeting. Please take your time reviewing the available project information. We want to hear from you. Please use one of the available methods to leave us your comments.
Written Comments:
Fill out the digital questionnaire and leave your comments or questions.
The questionnaire link will not be accessible on July 3 from 10am CDT for approximately 12 hours due to maintenance. Please visit the link before or after this date. Your input is valuable to us.
To submit a general comment or question using a web-based comment form, click on the comment button in the top right corner of your screen. Type your comment and press Submit.
Voice Messages:
A phone number has been established to receive your comments via voicemail. Please call 713-335-1918 on your home or mobile phone and listen for instructions about how to record your message.
One-on-One Appointments:
Interested in talking to someone about this project? Schedule your
one-on-one
meeting with the project team by clicking the link below.
Schedule your appointment