[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6540068,"mediaKeyId","3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86","parentId",3467328,"title","Board begins review of five LCRA TSC policies, will return for action in June","audioSeconds",162,"startMs",744000,"endMs",906000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86&start=744&end=906","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86/thumbnail_744000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540068/Texas/Board-begins-review-of-five-LCRA-TSC-policies-will-return-for-action-in-June","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540068-510842965d47d33a594ae560ee37f8ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035289&Signature=nQD4INRu8n1AeXJr~eVITDYKdIJVG8H969GbKXDDVewj9MZibttLTyEKQQKtIimLrRwkhg2ojEi608Y52IiQbxr5A-qVZCxMzOtcsNSw04QjHCdliW0azfyjoCgNpgHRRp0-t9YWuPp3mJvrG-L~eG15lxGLBr25DJAaUMpear-UkgBSiTTQpZ1t1ipCHnUALot3TF1PQygyH822C2GIYLMiNGudd-Lqu6tE8EIH2M7P67BLD2jieM3Cx7fefXMMnibfsEVWZws9-F-4z-zYma-GM3TluP6uxCqQqScil9RyJAw4C6OJFqqfiX45~ELHP6EeJalQBFUcMLzbe8ZdTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The board discussed proposed revisions to five LCRA Transmission Service Corporation board policies during the May 21 meeting and directed staff to return the updated policies for board action in June.

Staff member Sebastian summarized changes to policies T102 (authorities and responsibilities), T301 (finance), T401 (land resources), T405 (no changes suggested), and T601 (wholesale electric service policy). Sebastian said the review aims to conform policy language to the current CEO delegation of authority, update finance policy to reflect regulatory practice, streamline land-resources thresholds that trigger board approval, and align T601 with current tariff provisions. The board treated the item as discussion-only and asked staff to incorporate member suggestions prior to the June action item.

No vote was taken; staff will return final policy language for board approval in June.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LCRA Transmission Services Corporation Board meeting May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented proposed updates to five board policies (T102, T301, T401, T405, T601) and said changes will return to the board in June for approval after member feedback.","taxTitle","Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",17433,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6540073,"LCRA TSC reports full compliance with ERCOT winter inspections; previews $1.9 billion Permian Basin transmission build-out",168,54000,222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86&start=54&end=222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86/thumbnail_54000.jpg","/articles/6540073/Texas/LCRA-TSC-reports-full-compliance-with-ERCOT-winter-inspections-previews-19-billion-Permian-Basin-transmission-build-out","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540073-fb98e215b23eeed657262e4b7839197b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035289&Signature=WA69L4-9ZGie4lS7ZEwXORhGVFlOzgKqc9HOjsYGX8tZRVVznGbiPK0ICuAfGmOV1t~52xF0jWxjRTH~Mw2TmCobGrvz8YnCNkSupX~DfkBXSnE3Pm~qvyvwGVhP4zXaS6RdaLDqmyo1aGHz9mYl2Ol0CC4TOr0iDXZP46TOktG847sCTS7r1oZPTdjH8ojuisxGE~a8HMsu7XvLDVkNHZx73ADslnvASMDCjjvghtLFGo9vC4LQ7IcOKM9w8qStH~2ZZDPP6AFbjoAAURwi4Z5Acxlad9fr29K2PQxKhLmCXS8fPtpcmJCsTgVAgZ0Yj8hSIQS7pE7eip7KOIGKow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Operating Officer Chris Hellmier reported to the LCRA Transmission Service Corporation board on May 21 that ERCOT’s winter weatherization inspections found 13 LCRA TSC substations in compliance with regulatory requirements and that inspectors praised substation cleanliness, equipment condition and technician support.

Hellmier said ERCOT inspectors appreciated that LCRA TSC completed checklists ahead of inspections and that an inspector suggested their methods \"should serve as the basis for a best practices manual.\" Staff said inspections for the upcoming summer season will resume June 1 and that ERCOT inspected 30 substations last summer.

Hellmier also briefed directors on the Permian Basin reliability plan. He said House Bill 5066 (2023) required the Public Utility Commission to direct ERCOT to develop a reliability plan for the region; the PUC in April approved a plan that includes use of 765 kV transmission to bring power into the Permian Basin. Hellmier said the new 765 kV class is the first such voltage addition in ERCOT since the early 1960s. LCRA TSC expects to implement transmission system improvements related to the Permian Basin estimated at about $1.9 billion as part of its upcoming capital plan. He described two planned 765 kV lines that will each be built in partnership with Encore: one connecting Encore’s Bell County East substation to LCRA TSC’s Big Hill substation in Schleicher County (about 195 miles apart) and another connecting Big Hill to Encore Sand Lake substation in Ward County (about 75 miles apart); in each case LCRA TSC and Encore will each construct roughly half the line.

Hellmier said some 765 kV structures will be larger and require wider rights-of-way compared with existing 345 kV and 345 kV-class designs and that staff will return visuals and timeline information for board review. He described the projects as a long-term, multi-party effort and said LCRA TSC has already started work in regulatory, supply chain, real estate and project management areas to prepare.","Chief Operating Officer Chris Hellmier said ERCOT found LCRA TSC substations compliant in winter inspections and highlighted the PUC-approved Permian Basin reliability plan that calls for new 765 kV transmission lines and about $1.9 billion in related projects.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6540077,"LCRA TSC authorizes condemnation authority for easement amendments in Mason and Gillespie counties",159,1391000,1550000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86&start=1391&end=1550","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86/thumbnail_1391000.jpg","/articles/6540077/Texas/LCRA-TSC-authorizes-condemnation-authority-for-easement-amendments-in-Mason-and-Gillespie-counties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540077-774bb2c37ff6d29e5fc1b535deeb956b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035289&Signature=OrtF-HNQCcXWiUMj6N~Jx4RcQFuh57b6upJlDhyNhNECFp0kpjBRR0CgYclLl9sbTl5e8CN53k8ILbVntw2384O6c8RNpA~6bAAJyPPpWO8Wx1SXIsmj7rjusli7uvHdJBKsY9I0G~TrtdVU~mS37jv4lCB70X31oZd3IPplsirD5Pb3P~fWjlwioHLrfXSD1Eh9V~bdsRRQbsyffTWLMlHs~4SJruHuTacITdEqnaYdUbVvOMLCUXeNmRElmrEpenGc50CwfhHKkQGb7wspmmUXDWIP4ofHeggw0XaX1zarwl~kCdg4IvdmEhfa8tDKgiLU1qtzvlS1sf4EGOn7tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The LCRA Transmission Service Corporation board on May 21 authorized staff to proceed with condemnation only if agreements cannot be reached with landowners for easement amendments necessary to rebuild two transmission corridors.

Mark Sumrall (real estate staff) presented two items tied to transmission line overhaul projects. For Mason County the board approved authorization to pursue four easement amendments needed for the Fredonia-to-Mason overhaul project (T-289). For Gillespie County the board authorized 33 easement amendments and aerial right acquisitions needed for the DOS-to-Headwaters transmission line addition project (T-508). Sumrall and other staff said the lines were part of a portfolio purchase from Central Texas Electric Cooperative (CTEC) in 2019 and that many of the underlying easements dated to the 1960s and 1970s; the amendments would add rights needed for reconstruction and larger structures.

Sumrall said staff seeks board authority to use condemnation only when negotiations with landowners fail. The board moved and approved both authorizations by voice vote; the public transcript records the motions as passed but does not list individual roll-call tallies. Directors noted the need to standardize easement documentation and structure rights across the acquired assets.

Staff said they will continue to attempt negotiated agreements with landowners before pursuing condemnation and will return to the board for updates on specific parcels or unresolved negotiations.","The board authorized staff to use eminent domain if necessary to amend historic easements for transmission line reconstruction in Mason and Gillespie counties, approving the measures by voice vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6540080,"LCRA TSC approves $73 million in transmission and substation projects, sets $9 million for annual small projects",352,1023000,1375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86&start=1023&end=1375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86/thumbnail_1023000.jpg","/articles/6540080/Texas/LCRA-TSC-approves-73-million-in-transmission-and-substation-projects-sets-9-million-for-annual-small-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540080-84daa08c4a8ec4cd8aab88f91e151153/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035289&Signature=UO6BLoCHxof-gHjy6eVdkeK0sorBGzEedgM8rJl9f6RTsdyXzdF-~HPKhNQpquhOtZXtU-RAtv6Bpj56-xEKl4nZz8QyxnLgmq3fA~anUxc8DxFQ1f1OfjPDhW~tcdMaAaFl9Bp6rOrwi3EdjzoMxqSKi0ILPJPXCpcYaJLNQ7FCBOf1L8~kxublAXWRIeFciBDpm2NI3IZUYS~gX8T03L42mdpBXScKZ1hX9gVOUSPocmHYsO2Yok5kUPIKPGLRo48SpA0DenG~M5FIsHFokO4vQI4SOLzPiJeVFXX1nEsWL~fZz2-o~DQiofo8BEqlPkgXe7gNrjtFGOZvMr1JiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The LCRA Transmission Service Corporation board on May 21 approved four capital projects that staff said will improve substation reliability and replace aging transmission infrastructure.

Josh Cole (staff member) told the board the projects brought forward after the FY2026 capital budget included a battery systems upgrade at 14 substations (estimated cost $4.3 million, recommended completion May 15, 2026), a Bluffton-to-Buchanan transmission line overhaul (6.9 miles; estimated $28.3 million; recommended completion June 30, 2026), a Fredonia-to-Mason transmission line overhaul (11 miles; estimated $41.1 million; recommended completion June 30, 2026), and an annual general additions authorization providing up to $9 million for smaller, unanticipated system improvements through June 30, 2026.

Cole said the battery work replaces batteries, chargers and related controls used for substation operations; he emphasized these are operational support batteries, not the large wholesale battery storage projects often in the news. For the two line overhauls, staff said the work will replace structures and conductors and add optical ground wire (OPGW) along the full length; some of the conductor dates back to the 1960s and 1970s. The Bluffton-to-Buchanan conductor was originally installed in 1965; the Fredonia-to-Mason conductor dates to 1976. Staff said the line work will be performed in an \"energized\" fashion so service continues on the old conductor while crews string the new wire and transfer load in phases.

The board moved and approved the set of projects by voice vote. No individualized vote tallies are recorded in the public transcript; staff said the projects will be funded through the capital plan and that, where required, costs will be recovered through regulated rates subject to PUC processes.

Directors asked about asset life and durability; staff said new conductor and materials should extend expected service life, though future upgrades could be required if system load growth demands higher capacity.

The board also approved the annual general additions authority for up to $9 million to address minor system improvements, equipment failures, easement enhancements and small load accomodations through June 30, 2026.","The board approved four capital projects including battery bank upgrades at 14 substations and two long line overhauls as part of its FY2026 capital plan. Estimated costs total about $73.7 million for the listed projects; an additional $9 million was authorized for annual general additions.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6540082,"LCRA Transmission Services Corp. board approves FY2026 business and capital plan",82,919000,1001000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86&start=919&end=1001","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3467328-12c9659d41706a5e4ca849f4fbdcfc86/thumbnail_919000.jpg","/articles/6540082/Texas/LCRA-Transmission-Services-Corp-board-approves-FY2026-business-and-capital-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540082-1b906248f2e0ee7ffb4428a775e7357e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035289&Signature=TM5WfI8~QC00PUH8~h8uECbzpguXEoztBu8JA3rw83MObCee61Ukea9uHtLc0b~83XsUUMyZTxZd48mR8dE-4fAnNWm6mrrjHKQizG2bjg~DMQoLdohY4myR-wogzHpTD9JphKf38BF4qv7DXhgjNChnER1t8nhz9jtXCDXiyQzFnP8RxLvWYylHi14TXtmG-A9cM7gUBP7cB31WafR3ePUG1LhoZg2D4g5l7FKvl9egBuAlfxUbXvWV2V2nfEkl5ssHdtdx8-o07G~tSdwRwCSSqJFuyZ4vHtM6WmunLofsFcTx95STKIs3ORtTL3MTIPbulfHyCY1ZM14tUoFNJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The LCRA Transmission Service Corporation board on May 21 approved the utility’s fiscal year 2026 business and capital plan, voting in favor by voice after a staff presentation.

The plan sets the corporation’s capital spending targets and operations-and-maintenance expense targets for FY2026 and follows a detailed review at an April work session. Approval allows staff to proceed with the spending and budgeting limits presented to the board.

Finance staff described the fiscal context before the vote. Travis (finance staff) told directors the FY2025 results reflected a delay in approval of the corporation’s rate case, which postponed some cost-of-service revenue into the current year. Year-to-date net margin was better than budget by $22.6 million (about 6%), driven by $25 million in higher-than-budget revenues, higher interest income and miscellaneous revenues tied to a third-party transmission project for Austin Energy. Travis said that, despite expense increases tied to outside services and facility leases, the year-end net margin was forecast better than budget by about $11.5 million and that debt service coverage was expected to finish the year at about 1.41 versus a budgeted 1.37.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the debt service coverage and the rate-case outcome; Travis said the Public Utility Commission had not reduced the coverage requested and had given the 150 basis-point coverage that was included in the return calculation. After discussion the board moved and approved the FY2026 business and capital plan by voice vote.

The board also heard that some near-term revenue variability was driven by a transmission line construction contract LCRA is performing for Austin Energy; staff characterized those receipts as covering project costs plus a margin.

No individual vote tallies were recorded in the public transcript; the clerk reported the motion passed following the voice vote.

Board members and staff indicated the plan will guide FY2026 work and spending; items that require separate board approval or regulatory approval will return to the board or to the Public Utility Commission as needed.","The LCRA Transmission Service Corporation board approved its fiscal year 2026 business and capital plan at its May 21 meeting, after staff described the financial outlook and the effects of a delayed rate case.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board begins review of five LCRA TSC policies, will return for action in June

LCRA TSC reports full compliance with ERCOT winter inspections; previews $1.9 billion Permian Basin transmission build-out

LCRA TSC authorizes condemnation authority for easement amendments in Mason and Gillespie counties

LCRA TSC approves $73 million in transmission and substation projects, sets $9 million for annual small projects

LCRA Transmission Services Corp. board approves FY2026 business and capital plan