Transmission Line Licensing Process

• A new transmission line begins in the transmission planning process. Transmission planning is a continuous process coordinated with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the entity responsible for managing and operating a significant portion of the Texas transmission grid. The planning process varies considerably from project to project and ranges from projects included in Oncor’s transmission plan, where advance need is known, to projects that satisfy a specific customer service or interconnection request.
  • Need Assessment

• Oncor typically utilizes an independent consultant to delineate a general study area for the project; contact local, state and federal agencies for information pertaining to the project; and review existing information regarding features of the study area, including topographic maps, county highway maps, recent aerial photographs, environmental databases and other published data. After reviewing the gathered information and performing ground and aerial inspections of the study area and potential routes, preliminary alternative routes are identified by the consultant.
• One or more public meetings are typically held in or near the area of a proposed project in order to inform interested persons about the project and to gather information from attendees regarding the values and preferences of potentially impacted communities, as well as to collect information about the project area that may not be publicly available. A direct mail notice of such public meeting(s) is provided to landowners within 500 feet of preliminary alternative routing for lines greater than 230 kV and to landowners within 300 feet of preliminary alternative routing for lines of 230 kV or less in accordance with PUCT rules. In addition, Oncor publishes a notice of the meeting in local newspapers in the area. Public input is an important component of the Oncor routing process.

• A formal review and approval process for proposed electric transmission facilities is accomplished by the filing of an application with the PUCT requesting approval of the proposed facility. This application for an amendment of a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (or “CCN”), includes descriptions of why the line is needed, specific attributes of the line, viable alternative routes (including designation of a preferred route), and how the project will affect the surrounding community and environment.
• At the time the application is filed at the PUCT, Oncor publishes notice of the application in local newspaper(s) and provides direct mail notice to cities, counties and landowners who could be affected by the line's location and construction. Preferred and alternate routing is described in the notice, which includes a map of the proposed facilities and routing. Once the application is filed at the PUCT, parties interested in the project have an opportunity to comment on the application or formally participate in the PUCT process regarding the need and routing of the project.
• After Oncor files the CCN application, the PUCT’s consideration of the application typically takes about one year. When determining whether to grant the application, Texas law requires that the PUCT consider: the adequacy of existing service; the need for additional service; the effect of granting the certificate on the recipient of the certificate and on any electric utility serving the proximate area; other factors such as community values; recreational and park areas; historical and aesthetic values; environmental integrity; and the probable improvement of service or lowering of cost to consumers in the area if the certificate is granted.

• Following approval of a project by the PUCT, Oncor contacts landowners crossed by the approved project for surveying permission and to acquire right-of-way for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the transmission line.
  • Right-of-Way