Client: Sharyland Utilities, L.P.
Location: Texas
Designed to improve ERCOT grid reliability in the steadily growing Lower Rio Grande Valley Region of Texas, the ERCOT-critical North Edinburg to Palmito 345 kV Transmission Line is a joint venture between Electric Transmission Texas (ETT) and Sharyland Utilities, L.P. (Sharyland).
A component of the larger Cross Valley Project, the western half of the line will be constructed, owned and operated by ETT, while the eastern half will be constructed and operated by Sharyland. POWER’s scope included routing and siting, environmental support, licensing/permitting and public outreach.
Accomplishments
- License approvals—POWER helped our client secure approval for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) from the Public Utilities Commission.
- Prevented construction delays—POWER helped protect sensitive species like the Alplomado falcon and enabled the project schedule to remain on track by implementing a nest deterrence plan, establishing restricted activity buffers near artificial nest structures and obtaining a USFWS Special Relocation Permit.
- Streamlined permitting—The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) application and permitting process was simplified through POWER’s skilled regulatory agency liaison.
Project Features
- A 100-mile, double-circuit capable 345 kV transmission line. Special status species in the project area include the Alplomado falcon and Texas tortoise
- Unique challenges included routing within urban and agricultural areas, permitting across jurisdictional areas of the IBWC, and close proximity to the Donna Reservoir and Canal Superfund Site
POWER’s Services
- Alternative route analysis
- Environmental Assessment
- Cultural, biological and ecological field surveys
- Wetland delineations
- Constraints mapping
- Construction monitoring
- CCN support
- IBWC license application
- Erosion and sediment control maps for a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
- Compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Endangered Species Act compliance
- Public outreach support
- Expert testimony