Check out these links:
HB 1783: Relating to the Internet Broadcasting of PUCT and ERCOT Public Hearings and Meetings
AWEA Reports 78% growth in 2008 for U.S. Small Wind Market
Can the US Afford Cap-and-Trade?
Coalition Forming to Advocate for Stronger RES
- Find out what I'm doing, Follow Me :)
An Event, An Interview, An Exciting Day!
An Event
A lot has fallen right into place today; an event I have been trying to get going came together quite nicely this afternoon. A date has been set in stone, well maybe not set in stone but the venue has been reserved. Mark your calendars for June 25th, 2009. Not sure exactly on the time yet, although the event will be taking place in the evening (either 6 or 7 depending on the line up of speakers). We have reserved the Floyd County Friends Unity Center located at the intersection of Hwy 70 and Texas Farm Road 786 between Floydada and Lockney, Texas.
As far as the line up goes, we have several speakers worth getting excited about. John Sullivan from The Shaw Group will be presenting information concerning what you need to do before you can get into the development stage. His discussion will include due diligence, fatal flaw analysis and environmental reviews; basically a how-to prepare for wind development lesson. Next, Brian Almon with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) will be presenting information about the PUCT and how the CREZ process works from their end. Finally, our featured speaker will be a representative from Sharyland Utilities. Sharyland reps will present a timeline of their work in our area and what landowners can expect from them and the process in general.
The event will be open to the public, so spread the word!
An Interview
Another exciting event for the day was my interview with Tony St. James at KFLP in Floydada. Tony and I chatted about Caprock's vision, wind industry issues in general and some upcoming events in the area (of course including Caprock's June 25th event which hasn't received a formal name just yet)! You can listen to our chat on 900 AM out of Floydada, 1310AM out of Amarillo and other tonight at 6:10 and then again in the morning at 8:10 on the Agribusiness report. You can also find the broadcasts online at www.kflp.net.
Overall, an exciting day at Caprock Plains Wind Energy Association!
A lot has fallen right into place today; an event I have been trying to get going came together quite nicely this afternoon. A date has been set in stone, well maybe not set in stone but the venue has been reserved. Mark your calendars for June 25th, 2009. Not sure exactly on the time yet, although the event will be taking place in the evening (either 6 or 7 depending on the line up of speakers). We have reserved the Floyd County Friends Unity Center located at the intersection of Hwy 70 and Texas Farm Road 786 between Floydada and Lockney, Texas.
As far as the line up goes, we have several speakers worth getting excited about. John Sullivan from The Shaw Group will be presenting information concerning what you need to do before you can get into the development stage. His discussion will include due diligence, fatal flaw analysis and environmental reviews; basically a how-to prepare for wind development lesson. Next, Brian Almon with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) will be presenting information about the PUCT and how the CREZ process works from their end. Finally, our featured speaker will be a representative from Sharyland Utilities. Sharyland reps will present a timeline of their work in our area and what landowners can expect from them and the process in general.
The event will be open to the public, so spread the word!
An Interview
Another exciting event for the day was my interview with Tony St. James at KFLP in Floydada. Tony and I chatted about Caprock's vision, wind industry issues in general and some upcoming events in the area (of course including Caprock's June 25th event which hasn't received a formal name just yet)! You can listen to our chat on 900 AM out of Floydada, 1310AM out of Amarillo and other tonight at 6:10 and then again in the morning at 8:10 on the Agribusiness report. You can also find the broadcasts online at www.kflp.net.
Overall, an exciting day at Caprock Plains Wind Energy Association!
Today's Wind Headlines
Just a couple of links of interest for today, enjoy:
The Money is Blowin' in the Wind
Amarillo College gets money for wind energy
WIND FACT
"...a megawatt of wind generates about as much electricity as 225 to 300 households use."
Source: AWEA, Wind Energy Basics
The Money is Blowin' in the Wind
Amarillo College gets money for wind energy
WIND FACT
"...a megawatt of wind generates about as much electricity as 225 to 300 households use."
Source: AWEA, Wind Energy Basics
Today's Wind Headlines
Hope everyone enjoyed their memorial day weekend. Getting back into the swing of things, here are some wind energy headlines:
Wind Turbines Vitalize, Divide Texas Town
Renewable power mandate overcomes hurdle in Senate
Change in the air? Wind industry wants govt lift
Anybody interested in attending a wind short course, check out this event being held on Texas Tech University Campus June 12-13. The cost is $40 for the general public.
Blowin in the Wind: The Future of Wind Turbine Farms
WIND FACT
"The Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), also known as a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), is a flexible, market-driven policy that enables renewable energy sources, such as wind, to provide the clean, reliable, domestic power the U.S. needs. An RES ensures that some amount of renewable energy is included in the portfolio of electricity resources serving a state or country."
Source: Power of Wind, Current Issues
Wind Turbines Vitalize, Divide Texas Town
Renewable power mandate overcomes hurdle in Senate
Change in the air? Wind industry wants govt lift
Anybody interested in attending a wind short course, check out this event being held on Texas Tech University Campus June 12-13. The cost is $40 for the general public.
Blowin in the Wind: The Future of Wind Turbine Farms
WIND FACT
"The Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), also known as a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), is a flexible, market-driven policy that enables renewable energy sources, such as wind, to provide the clean, reliable, domestic power the U.S. needs. An RES ensures that some amount of renewable energy is included in the portfolio of electricity resources serving a state or country."
Source: Power of Wind, Current Issues
Today's Wind Headlines
Click on the links below if you're interested:
The Waxman/Markey Bill Has Been Co-Opted by Special Interests
Wind Industry Praises Chairmen Waxman and Markey for Upholding Renewable Electricity Standard in House Climate & Energy Bill
Climate Legislation Approved by Energy Committee
A Renewable Energy Standard: The Proof is in the States
Texas Renewable Energy Fact Sheet
WIND FACT
As of March 2009 enough wind energy was being created to power the equivalent of 7 million homes in the United States, that's 25,170 MW of wind energy installed.
Source: Wind Energy Works!
The Waxman/Markey Bill Has Been Co-Opted by Special Interests
Wind Industry Praises Chairmen Waxman and Markey for Upholding Renewable Electricity Standard in House Climate & Energy Bill
Climate Legislation Approved by Energy Committee
A Renewable Energy Standard: The Proof is in the States
Texas Renewable Energy Fact Sheet
WIND FACT
As of March 2009 enough wind energy was being created to power the equivalent of 7 million homes in the United States, that's 25,170 MW of wind energy installed.
Source: Wind Energy Works!
Helpful Links - Financing for Renewable Energy
The Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy (RARE) sponsored a free workshop on Finding Financing for Renewable Energy Projects in Rural Texas in Austin on Monday.
Check out these useful Websites provided at the workshop:
Department of Energy (DOE) - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)
DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - A Texas Eye on the Dollars
25X25 America's Energy Future
Texas Renewable Energy Resource Assessment
USDA Rural Development
Rural Energy for America Program
Rural Energy for American Program - Grants
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
Infinite Power - Campaign to Educate Texans about Renewable Energy
Environmental Law & Policy Center, Clean Energy and Rural Economic Development
The following are links Web sites of all those who spoke at the workshop:
State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy (RARE)
Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA)
Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA)
Texas Department of Agriculture
Westar Trade Resources
Matney-Frantz Engineering
Check out these useful Websites provided at the workshop:
Department of Energy (DOE) - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act)
DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - A Texas Eye on the Dollars
25X25 America's Energy Future
Texas Renewable Energy Resource Assessment
USDA Rural Development
Rural Energy for America Program
Rural Energy for American Program - Grants
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
Infinite Power - Campaign to Educate Texans about Renewable Energy
Environmental Law & Policy Center, Clean Energy and Rural Economic Development
The following are links Web sites of all those who spoke at the workshop:
State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy (RARE)
Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA)
Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA)
Texas Department of Agriculture
Westar Trade Resources
Matney-Frantz Engineering
WINDPOWER, Part 3
The Wind and Public Perspectives:
It was good to hear Susan Williams Sloan, Outreach Manager for Wind Energy Works!, present the findings to a recent AWEA poll. The poll found that wind energy is still popular. 75% of those surveyed favored a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). So, that's good news, but we still have some work to do to keep wind in a positive light. It's easy to find negative opinions concerning wind energy, but beware of recycled myths that are floating around out there about wind. Sloan gave the example of a USA Today story which said that renewable energy was responsible for higher electric costs. Sloan was quick to point out that there are many studies that have been done that show that this just isn't true.
What can we do to make sure that wind energy continues to grow? Well much of the answer lies in energy policy. Sloan pointed out that energy is a policy driven industry. Given that fact, its obvious that we must stay on top of whats going in the legislature and contact our representatives, asking them to support things like a national RES.
The first step in keeping wind energy is to keep the public educated. Marion Trieste, GEOS Global, LLC, offered several basic topics that should be considered when promoting wind development. Those included that wind is emissions free, fuel free, not subject to outside factors and therefore offers a predictable price, and an economic development tool (bringing much needed activity to rural economies that are struggling). One of Trieste's main points was the landowners are the key. Without landowner support wind energy development won't be able to progress. Grassroots groups can help landowners get together to have a louder voice when it comes to supporting wind development.
The last point I want to make for this post concerns the power that landowner associations can have in these type of situations. Johnna Bruhn with the Coalition of Renewable Energy Landowner Associations said that developing a landowner association can help combat the overall lack of trust that many landowners tend to have when dealing with developers. A landowner association provides landowners with strength in numbers, collective bargaining power, the opportunity to stay informed and the ability to avoid dividing communities.
It all boils down to staying informed and prepared for what might come your way.
It was good to hear Susan Williams Sloan, Outreach Manager for Wind Energy Works!, present the findings to a recent AWEA poll. The poll found that wind energy is still popular. 75% of those surveyed favored a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). So, that's good news, but we still have some work to do to keep wind in a positive light. It's easy to find negative opinions concerning wind energy, but beware of recycled myths that are floating around out there about wind. Sloan gave the example of a USA Today story which said that renewable energy was responsible for higher electric costs. Sloan was quick to point out that there are many studies that have been done that show that this just isn't true.
What can we do to make sure that wind energy continues to grow? Well much of the answer lies in energy policy. Sloan pointed out that energy is a policy driven industry. Given that fact, its obvious that we must stay on top of whats going in the legislature and contact our representatives, asking them to support things like a national RES.
The first step in keeping wind energy is to keep the public educated. Marion Trieste, GEOS Global, LLC, offered several basic topics that should be considered when promoting wind development. Those included that wind is emissions free, fuel free, not subject to outside factors and therefore offers a predictable price, and an economic development tool (bringing much needed activity to rural economies that are struggling). One of Trieste's main points was the landowners are the key. Without landowner support wind energy development won't be able to progress. Grassroots groups can help landowners get together to have a louder voice when it comes to supporting wind development.
The last point I want to make for this post concerns the power that landowner associations can have in these type of situations. Johnna Bruhn with the Coalition of Renewable Energy Landowner Associations said that developing a landowner association can help combat the overall lack of trust that many landowners tend to have when dealing with developers. A landowner association provides landowners with strength in numbers, collective bargaining power, the opportunity to stay informed and the ability to avoid dividing communities.
It all boils down to staying informed and prepared for what might come your way.
Today's Wind Headlines
Check out some of these links to wind news:
New House Agreement Recognizes Importance of RES, but Leaves Jobs on the Table - From AWEA
Of Energy Gaps, Grids and Straw Men
Committee kills eminent domain restriction
Democrats Reach Agreement on Climate Bill
ERCOT Releases Study About Likely Efffects of Climate Change Legislation
WIND FACT
"Wind requires no mining, drilling, or transportation of fuel, and does not generate radioactive or other hazardous or polluting waste. Wind power offsets other, more polluting sources of energy."
Source: Power of Wind: Wind Energy 101
New House Agreement Recognizes Importance of RES, but Leaves Jobs on the Table - From AWEA
Of Energy Gaps, Grids and Straw Men
Committee kills eminent domain restriction
Democrats Reach Agreement on Climate Bill
ERCOT Releases Study About Likely Efffects of Climate Change Legislation
WIND FACT
"Wind requires no mining, drilling, or transportation of fuel, and does not generate radioactive or other hazardous or polluting waste. Wind power offsets other, more polluting sources of energy."
Source: Power of Wind: Wind Energy 101
WINDPOWER, Part 2
Seth Dunn of GE Energy related his presentation on US Wind Policy at WINDPOWER last week to America's favorite pastime. This presentation was one of my favorites; making it easy to put policy into perspective.
Dunn presented the "field of dreams" for wind policy in America. Breaking it down into four categories, the things we need to help support the wind industry are:
Dunn presented the "field of dreams" for wind policy in America. Breaking it down into four categories, the things we need to help support the wind industry are:
- A Financing Fix - the basic premise is that we need to restore the flow of financing so that projects can get off the ground. Factors that may help restore the flow are: A PTC 3 year extension, treasury grants, loan guarantee programs and a green energy bank.
- A National RES - In order to provide some type of security in the industry it is imperative to provide a long term signal regarding renewable energy and its future in our country. In order for a National RES to accomplish what it needs to several things need to be included in legislation: aggressive long term requirements, meaningful milestones throughout, a bankable REC market, and penalties for non-compliance.
- Transmission - We need to connect resource-rich areas to those areas that need the power. Interconnection-wide planning, cost allocation and federal siting authority will help facilitate the process.
- Climate Policy - both long terms goals and requirements for the near future on emission reductions will help to spur the growth of renewable energy, not to mention the benefits it will pose environmentally speaking. Other things mentioned in Dunn's presentation that we need to see come out of climate policy is appropriate cost containment provisions and allowance value for renewable incentives.
Today's Wind Headlines
Currently working on some more blog entries on the WINPOWER Conference, but in the meantime here are some related wind news links:
RES Politics Are Yet to Be RESolved
Nebraska Farmers Union encourages landowner wind farm associations
DOE Will Award Funds to Wind Energy Projects
Windustry to Organize Community Wind Energy Conferences
New Panhandle wind farm helps Tech
RES Politics Are Yet to Be RESolved
Nebraska Farmers Union encourages landowner wind farm associations
DOE Will Award Funds to Wind Energy Projects
Windustry to Organize Community Wind Energy Conferences
New Panhandle wind farm helps Tech
What Happened At WINDPOWER?! Part 1
The answer to that question isn't a simple one, simply because a lot happened at AWEA's annual wind conference and exhibition in Chicago last week. So, to avoid posting one large post which would require much scrolling on your part, I have decided I will break it down for you over the course of this week. Just make sure you check back for more...
Today's Topic: What Did Boone Pickens Have to Say?
In an interview with Bill Kurtis, television journalist, during the second general session of the conference T. Boone Pickens presented a pretty straight forward message: The United States needs to get off our dependency on foreign oil. He said that while renewables is part of the solution what we must do is go all American when it comes to energy.
Pickens urged people to ask their representatives what their energy plan is, because he said if they don't have an answer to your question then their plan is to rely on foreign oil. Pickens pointed out why this poses a security problem for our nation by saying that a great deal of our oil imported is from countries who are not friendly with the United States.
So does T. Boone Pickens think its possible to get 25% renewable energy by 2025? Yes, he thinks it can be done because he says the American people want it. He pointed out that the results of a recent poll shows that 70% of those polled knew what the Pickens Plan was and 78% of them were in favor of the plan. (You can find out more about the Pickens Plan at www.pickensplan.com).
Pointed out during the interview was the fact that some people just don't want wind energy development on or around their land. To that Pickens responded by saying that if you don't want wind energy development then don't do it; plenty of people elsewhere do want it (in the Great Plains for example).
As far as transmission is concerned, Pickens felt like it would work best if FERC was given the power to site the power grid just like they do with natural gas pipelines. He said that this would help with problems that might arise between states otherwise. Being a landowner himself he said that it wouldn't bother him to have a transmission line running through his property because what is good for this country is good for him. He felt like many landowners would share this same sentiment.
Pickens encouraged people to support his plan for energy Independence saying, "If I've got millions of people with me than I am a hell of a lot more important than just a rich guy from Texas."
Today's Topic: What Did Boone Pickens Have to Say?
In an interview with Bill Kurtis, television journalist, during the second general session of the conference T. Boone Pickens presented a pretty straight forward message: The United States needs to get off our dependency on foreign oil. He said that while renewables is part of the solution what we must do is go all American when it comes to energy.
Pickens urged people to ask their representatives what their energy plan is, because he said if they don't have an answer to your question then their plan is to rely on foreign oil. Pickens pointed out why this poses a security problem for our nation by saying that a great deal of our oil imported is from countries who are not friendly with the United States.
So does T. Boone Pickens think its possible to get 25% renewable energy by 2025? Yes, he thinks it can be done because he says the American people want it. He pointed out that the results of a recent poll shows that 70% of those polled knew what the Pickens Plan was and 78% of them were in favor of the plan. (You can find out more about the Pickens Plan at www.pickensplan.com).
Pointed out during the interview was the fact that some people just don't want wind energy development on or around their land. To that Pickens responded by saying that if you don't want wind energy development then don't do it; plenty of people elsewhere do want it (in the Great Plains for example).
As far as transmission is concerned, Pickens felt like it would work best if FERC was given the power to site the power grid just like they do with natural gas pipelines. He said that this would help with problems that might arise between states otherwise. Being a landowner himself he said that it wouldn't bother him to have a transmission line running through his property because what is good for this country is good for him. He felt like many landowners would share this same sentiment.
Pickens encouraged people to support his plan for energy Independence saying, "If I've got millions of people with me than I am a hell of a lot more important than just a rich guy from Texas."
AWEA WINDPOWER 2009
The American Wind Energy Association's WINDPOWER Conference started off with a bang. AWEA CEO Denise Bode kicked off the opening ceremonies, pumping up the crowd about the progresses wind energy has made and the possibilities it has to look forward to. Bode stressed one fact much more so than anything else; she explained the impact a National Renewable Electricity Standard would have on the wind industry and urged the crowd to contact their representatives today!
You can find out more about how a National RES will help the wind industry and what you can do to support it at www.powerofwind.com.
The day was filled to the rim with information about the wind industry and included speakers such as Ken Salazar, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior; Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); and many more.
I will leave you with this for tonight, but check back for more detailed information on the various speeches given throughout the week.
Don't forget to contact your Members of Congress about passing a National RES!!
You can find out more about how a National RES will help the wind industry and what you can do to support it at www.powerofwind.com.
The day was filled to the rim with information about the wind industry and included speakers such as Ken Salazar, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior; Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); and many more.
I will leave you with this for tonight, but check back for more detailed information on the various speeches given throughout the week.
Don't forget to contact your Members of Congress about passing a National RES!!
Today's Wind Headlines
Some interesting links:
Panel OKs wind farm power line upgrades
Interactive Renewable Energy Map
Accompanying article
U.S. Department of Energy Again Confirms: RES Would Reduce Fuel Costs, Stabilize Electricity Rates
WIND FACT
"...a nationwide study conducted in 2003 surveyed property near multiple wind farms and found that not only do wind farms not harm property values, but that in some cases the values increased."
Source: Wind Energy Works!: Resources
Panel OKs wind farm power line upgrades
Interactive Renewable Energy Map
Accompanying article
U.S. Department of Energy Again Confirms: RES Would Reduce Fuel Costs, Stabilize Electricity Rates
WIND FACT
"...a nationwide study conducted in 2003 surveyed property near multiple wind farms and found that not only do wind farms not harm property values, but that in some cases the values increased."
Source: Wind Energy Works!: Resources
Q&A with Sharyland Utilities
Who is Sharyland Utilities? How will the transmission build out process work? Who will be affected and how? Find the answers to these questions and much more below. Answers can be attributed to Jeanne Phillips, Sr. Vice President at Sharyland.
Q&A with Sharyland:
1. How would you describe the relationship between Sharyland and Hunt Transmission? Will it just be Sharyland that will be contacting landowners or will Hunt be involved as well?
Answer: Sharyland Utilities (“Sharyland”) will be the entity responsible for actually constructing and operating the CREZ (Competitive Renewable Energy Zone) transmission facilities. Hunt Transmission Services (“HTS”) will provide local support for all community outreach efforts related to the CREZ transmission project. Depending on the activity related to project development, most contact with landowners will be made by Sharyland; however, HTS will be engaged in keeping local officials and community groups informed of the project’s milestones and progress.
Sharyland is a privately-owned, Texas-based transmission and distribution electric utility located in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). It is strictly a “wires” only company and it is Sharyland that will own and operate the transmission lines that will carry electricity from competitive renewable energy zones in the Panhandle and South Plains to end-use customers in other regions of Texas. Sharyland’s current service territory is located along the Rio Grande border in the south Texas cities of Mission and McAllen. Its corporate headquarters are located in Dallas, and Sharyland is owned by Hunter L. Hunt and other members of his family; it is managed by Hunter Hunt.
HTS is part of a group of privately held companies, which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a diversified holding company engaged in a wide range of interests, including oil and gas exploration and production, real estate development, electric power, ranching, agriculture, and private investing.
2. How should landowners anticipate being contacted?
Answer: Sharyland and its consultants are currently conducting a routing study of the project area. General preliminary routes have already been designated by ERCOT, but it is Sharyland’s responsibility to further refine these routes, taking into account environmental considerations and ERCOT’s electrical planning criteria. When property ownership has been identified, and potential locations for substations and line routes are determined, Sharyland will host several open meetings later this summer around the project area to present preferred and alternative routes for public review and input. Affected landowners will receive direct mail notice of these meetings, and a notice will be posted in the local paper to invite the general public. Sharyland anticipates that notifications for these meetings will be sent mid-summer 2009.
Once the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approves a final transmission line route, Sharyland will contact the owner of the property to be crossed by the transmission line to purchase an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the new electric transmission lines.
3. What is Sharyland’s plan concerning right of way acquisition?
Answer: Sharyland plans to obtain a nominal width of 175 feet for right-of-ways for its 345 kV transmission lines, although some locations may require less width due to physical terrain and the type of structure used. If possible and prudent, Sharyland will consider using or paralleling existing right-of-way of pipelines, old rail lines, or existing transmission lines. However, until route selection is better defined and landowner preferences are taken into consideration, it is hard to know if the use of existing corridors will be the best option. Initially, Sharyland anticipates acquiring a quarter section (160 acres) for substations (collection stations).
4. What is the best way for a concerned landowner to go about getting answers to questions they may have?
Answer: Sharyland has several resources available to landowners, as well as other interested parties, for inquiries or concerns. The Sharyland web site (www.sharylandutilities.com) is an easily accessible source of information for CREZ transmission project updates and responses to frequently asked questions. For a local contact, Sherry Kunka, HTS Manager for Community Affairs, is available in the Sharyland Amarillo office, and her phone number is 806-679-2504. Another contact point is the Sharyland office in Dallas at 214-978-8958, or toll free at 866-354-3335. All media inquiries should be directed to Jeanne Phillips, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & International Relations, at 214-978-8534.
5. What is Sharyland doing to make this process as landowner/community friendly as possible?
Answer: Sharyland is making a long-term investment in electric transmission infrastructure in this wind-rich area of Texas so it is vitally important to solicit and to take into consideration the concerns and suggestions of landowners and communities. Through dissemination of regular project updates, a local presence, personal community contacts, periodic issue forums, and the PUCT’s open meeting process, Sharyland is looking forward to hearing from its new neighbors. Together with landowners and communities, the region’s wind resources can be shared with other Texans and the unique environment of the Panhandle and South Plains can be respected.
6. Will landowners whose land is acquired receive direct benefit? If so, could you outline those?
Answer: Sharyland plans to pay a fair market value for transmission line easements. The fair market value is determined by conducting a market study or an appraisal for the easement to be obtained. A copy of the study or an appraisal report may be provided to a property owner at the time an offer is made to purchase the easement.
7. What benefits will the affected communities see?
Answer: An important aspect to communities and counties where new transmission infrastructure will be built is an increase in tax base. Sharyland will pay local property taxes on the transmission facilities and land that it owns. Sharyland will also pay state and local sales and use taxes for goods and services defined as taxable by state law. Other economic benefits will be the opportunity for local jobs during the construction phase, and potentially permanent jobs for operation and maintenance of the new transmission lines. And because Sharyland is committed to a long-term presence in the Panhandle and South Plains, development of local community programs advocating renewable resources or environmental sustainability may also bring potential benefit.
8. How will those surrounding communities who aren’t going to have transmission built within their county lines be impacted?
Answer: First, Sharyland believes the development of the CREZ resources and transmission lines will have a positive impact on the entire Panhandle and South Plains, whether a transmission line is built in a particular county or not. This region is recognized as having the best wind resources in the entire State of Texas, and now that the PUCT has given the go-ahead for CREZ transmission lines to be built, wind developers and other wind-energy related industries will be more likely to locate in this area. Second, the designated CREZ transmission lines are the major “highways” and other connecting lines (the “driveways”) will need to be built by wind developers. Some of those lines, depending on the distance from a CREZ line, could be in an adjoining county. Finally, as the CREZ transmission project progresses, all counties may see economic benefit as a result of construction and operation and maintenance of the lines.
9. What can the landowners in the area do to help facilitate the process?
Answer: Participate and communicate. Public input is a vital part of route selection, and it is important that landowners and communities participate in the open meetings to be held by Sharyland later this summer. These meetings will be the opportunity to look at detailed maps of preferred and alternative routes, and to offer suggestions or concerns. Also, communicate questions to Sharyland on an ongoing basis so that concerns can be identified and issues are addressed when they arise.
Q&A with Sharyland:
1. How would you describe the relationship between Sharyland and Hunt Transmission? Will it just be Sharyland that will be contacting landowners or will Hunt be involved as well?
Answer: Sharyland Utilities (“Sharyland”) will be the entity responsible for actually constructing and operating the CREZ (Competitive Renewable Energy Zone) transmission facilities. Hunt Transmission Services (“HTS”) will provide local support for all community outreach efforts related to the CREZ transmission project. Depending on the activity related to project development, most contact with landowners will be made by Sharyland; however, HTS will be engaged in keeping local officials and community groups informed of the project’s milestones and progress.
Sharyland is a privately-owned, Texas-based transmission and distribution electric utility located in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). It is strictly a “wires” only company and it is Sharyland that will own and operate the transmission lines that will carry electricity from competitive renewable energy zones in the Panhandle and South Plains to end-use customers in other regions of Texas. Sharyland’s current service territory is located along the Rio Grande border in the south Texas cities of Mission and McAllen. Its corporate headquarters are located in Dallas, and Sharyland is owned by Hunter L. Hunt and other members of his family; it is managed by Hunter Hunt.
HTS is part of a group of privately held companies, which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a diversified holding company engaged in a wide range of interests, including oil and gas exploration and production, real estate development, electric power, ranching, agriculture, and private investing.
2. How should landowners anticipate being contacted?
Answer: Sharyland and its consultants are currently conducting a routing study of the project area. General preliminary routes have already been designated by ERCOT, but it is Sharyland’s responsibility to further refine these routes, taking into account environmental considerations and ERCOT’s electrical planning criteria. When property ownership has been identified, and potential locations for substations and line routes are determined, Sharyland will host several open meetings later this summer around the project area to present preferred and alternative routes for public review and input. Affected landowners will receive direct mail notice of these meetings, and a notice will be posted in the local paper to invite the general public. Sharyland anticipates that notifications for these meetings will be sent mid-summer 2009.
Once the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approves a final transmission line route, Sharyland will contact the owner of the property to be crossed by the transmission line to purchase an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the new electric transmission lines.
3. What is Sharyland’s plan concerning right of way acquisition?
Answer: Sharyland plans to obtain a nominal width of 175 feet for right-of-ways for its 345 kV transmission lines, although some locations may require less width due to physical terrain and the type of structure used. If possible and prudent, Sharyland will consider using or paralleling existing right-of-way of pipelines, old rail lines, or existing transmission lines. However, until route selection is better defined and landowner preferences are taken into consideration, it is hard to know if the use of existing corridors will be the best option. Initially, Sharyland anticipates acquiring a quarter section (160 acres) for substations (collection stations).
4. What is the best way for a concerned landowner to go about getting answers to questions they may have?
Answer: Sharyland has several resources available to landowners, as well as other interested parties, for inquiries or concerns. The Sharyland web site (www.sharylandutilities.com) is an easily accessible source of information for CREZ transmission project updates and responses to frequently asked questions. For a local contact, Sherry Kunka, HTS Manager for Community Affairs, is available in the Sharyland Amarillo office, and her phone number is 806-679-2504. Another contact point is the Sharyland office in Dallas at 214-978-8958, or toll free at 866-354-3335. All media inquiries should be directed to Jeanne Phillips, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & International Relations, at 214-978-8534.
5. What is Sharyland doing to make this process as landowner/community friendly as possible?
Answer: Sharyland is making a long-term investment in electric transmission infrastructure in this wind-rich area of Texas so it is vitally important to solicit and to take into consideration the concerns and suggestions of landowners and communities. Through dissemination of regular project updates, a local presence, personal community contacts, periodic issue forums, and the PUCT’s open meeting process, Sharyland is looking forward to hearing from its new neighbors. Together with landowners and communities, the region’s wind resources can be shared with other Texans and the unique environment of the Panhandle and South Plains can be respected.
6. Will landowners whose land is acquired receive direct benefit? If so, could you outline those?
Answer: Sharyland plans to pay a fair market value for transmission line easements. The fair market value is determined by conducting a market study or an appraisal for the easement to be obtained. A copy of the study or an appraisal report may be provided to a property owner at the time an offer is made to purchase the easement.
7. What benefits will the affected communities see?
Answer: An important aspect to communities and counties where new transmission infrastructure will be built is an increase in tax base. Sharyland will pay local property taxes on the transmission facilities and land that it owns. Sharyland will also pay state and local sales and use taxes for goods and services defined as taxable by state law. Other economic benefits will be the opportunity for local jobs during the construction phase, and potentially permanent jobs for operation and maintenance of the new transmission lines. And because Sharyland is committed to a long-term presence in the Panhandle and South Plains, development of local community programs advocating renewable resources or environmental sustainability may also bring potential benefit.
8. How will those surrounding communities who aren’t going to have transmission built within their county lines be impacted?
Answer: First, Sharyland believes the development of the CREZ resources and transmission lines will have a positive impact on the entire Panhandle and South Plains, whether a transmission line is built in a particular county or not. This region is recognized as having the best wind resources in the entire State of Texas, and now that the PUCT has given the go-ahead for CREZ transmission lines to be built, wind developers and other wind-energy related industries will be more likely to locate in this area. Second, the designated CREZ transmission lines are the major “highways” and other connecting lines (the “driveways”) will need to be built by wind developers. Some of those lines, depending on the distance from a CREZ line, could be in an adjoining county. Finally, as the CREZ transmission project progresses, all counties may see economic benefit as a result of construction and operation and maintenance of the lines.
9. What can the landowners in the area do to help facilitate the process?
Answer: Participate and communicate. Public input is a vital part of route selection, and it is important that landowners and communities participate in the open meetings to be held by Sharyland later this summer. These meetings will be the opportunity to look at detailed maps of preferred and alternative routes, and to offer suggestions or concerns. Also, communicate questions to Sharyland on an ongoing basis so that concerns can be identified and issues are addressed when they arise.
