How important a factor is cost in LCRA TSC’s determination of potential routes?
The rules of the Public Utility Commission call for CREZ lines to be built “in a manner that is most beneficial and cost-effective to (electric) customers.” LCRA TSC will provide transmission line routes to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) that take into consideration both the desires of property owners, where possible, and the needs of all ratepayers. Cost remains a factor, but LCRA TSC does not rank all other factors secondary to cost. LCRA TSC wants to recommend routes that have broad support from landowners and the public while being as low-cost as possible. Landowners have suggested a preference for monopoles rather than lattice tower structures. LCRA TSC recommends lattice towers as the primary structure to install for the CREZ transmission lines because of cost and material efficiency. However, LCRA TSC will continue to provide cost information to the PUC for alternative structures, including monopoles. Ultimately, the PUC will determine the final structure type and location
