[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6496484,"mediaKeyId","5664092-7b605c76b82d19cfeddb725c145333df","parentId",5664092,"title","LCRA TSC authorizes eminent‑domain option for two transmission‑overhaul projects; staff continues negotiations with landowners","audioSeconds",432,"startMs",1532000,"endMs",1964000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664092-7b605c76b82d19cfeddb725c145333df&start=1532&end=1964","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664092-7b605c76b82d19cfeddb725c145333df/thumbnail_1532000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496484/Texas/LCRA-TSC-authorizes-eminentdomain-option-for-two-transmissionoverhaul-projects-staff-continues-negotiations-with-landowners","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496484-22f92f0b30b29daba0e97bbe8800697e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181384&Signature=FvWZe8L-41M87FnflE2IS7rjxCopH3kUxfQvigM8XNcJywfvAaS472k8HOi1ddZFFyhsuczj2~mkNhWp0-xgRLyfx7a7SJQWvHIMaC7GS~4SdBqr3~mNZml183xORgOAYUiCpVAsKx1l1TnxAD8B3rpEcUDt5PPXR5LJ4cQLX1agOj4yEUIrxIbzUtoshyAbZwhDSc~hIq-uz3AsDVVNRvXT1QkG6Gj38BX1jubh3NpYvs21nqENEIDlbpdaneumlSeQUPr8CU~PH20UHPKd9T4KsrDMd9JMeAH1QV7VksidQe6uCWluqG3SP8BoqHAOMGYDdugkkZ-1GsuYK1Ba0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)","date","2025-08-22T15:07:32.047Z","article","The Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation board voted Aug. 20 to authorize staff to use the power of eminent domain if necessary to secure easement amendments for two transmission overhaul projects.

Mark Summerall, real estate staff member, told the board the first request supports the Fredericksburg-to-Peach T‑379 transmission line overhaul and seeks one easement amendment to address deficiencies in century‑old rights of way. \"We're amending these easement rights where our easements may be deficient,\" Summerall said, and added that initial offers based on third‑party appraisals have been made to landowners. Staff recommended board authorization only to use eminent domain if negotiations fail.

Summerall presented a second, related request for the Gillespie‑to‑Peach T‑679 overhaul, this time seeking five easement amendments. He said the underlying easements in both corridors date back to the 1920s and that modern design standards sometimes require rights beyond those older documents, for example to change voltage or to remove structure limitations.

Board members asked about the frequency with which LCRA files eminent‑domain petitions. Summerall said FY 2025 had 18 petitions filed out of roughly 320 acquisitions (about 6% petition filing rate), and that the number taken to a Special Commissioner's hearing was lower — about 1.5% for FY 2025 — because many cases are settled between petition filing and hearing. Directors praised the staff's negotiated approach and the board approved both authorizations after motions and seconds were recorded.

The authorizations allow staff to proceed with offers, title work and, only if necessary, condemnation filings to keep project schedules on track. Staff emphasized eminent domain will be used as a last resort, primarily to remedy title clouds or when a landowner cannot be located or an agreement cannot be reached.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LCRA Transmission Services Corporation Board meeting Aug. 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board authorized staff to use eminent domain as a last resort for easement amendments on the Fredericksburg–Peach and Gillespie–Peach transmission line overhaul projects; staff said most cases are resolved by negotiation and easement rights date to the 1920s.","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},6496488,"LCRA TSC board approves 12 transmission capital projects including first gas‑insulated substation in Georgetown",751,768000,1519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664092-7b605c76b82d19cfeddb725c145333df&start=768&end=1519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664092-7b605c76b82d19cfeddb725c145333df/thumbnail_768000.jpg","/articles/6496488/Texas/LCRA-TSC-board-approves-12-transmission-capital-projects-including-first-gasinsulated-substation-in-Georgetown","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496488-a520e0b597839abeb6eaf7d2ee908a6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181384&Signature=fhy-VmONb2r0tQ7Vjm9nTZuO8uaYj~te6IXoJj-jkn1FdJDB19bjNrTn2p3kUQcZekcoleYGOVSUoFZ7LU4KOKjmBAVb6VPiuRELFHBkOjiEyvtOa3zdXY79cNE42rEDDxvssv2aJLLRIfeI9nfaElvOtrkj52IdT0r1mnH5XvvH4ZBh96Tf3rSIn-LDLE~MNtMG39jESHpWFXVAT0PP2t6rDk0Ip11GWFMQZ4piRKJKWwvpPpI5Y8L-EJc1M08bkHVoDYBRjlEpYL3rfDImwYPbYBCWvQAomAeVVNAGebYbUW5~x4MMQS3AsRO1DcI7w10LOmFvfuR8I4B7HqBcWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation board voted Aug. 20 to approve 12 capital improvement projects covering transmission line overhauls, substation upgrades and real‑estate actions across central and west Texas.

Josh Cole, a planning staff member, presented the package and described the 12 projects as four service‑reliability items and eight system‑capacity items. \"We've got 12 projects for you today,\" Cole said.

Board materials list the projects, their estimated lifetime budgets and target completion dates: Buchanan CTC–Kingsland transmission line overhaul (about $20,700,000; completion 06/30/2026; Llano County); Buttercup Substation upgrade ($4,100,000; completion 05/15/2026; Williamson County); Colton–Mendoza easement enhancement ($1,900,000; completion 12/31/2026); Obsolete circuit breaker replacement (Flatonia Substation, approx. $2,100,000; completion 12/15/2025; Fayette County); Canyon–San Marcos transmission line upgrade ($22,800,000; completion 05/15/2026; Hays County); Gabriel–Split transmission line upgrade ($13,700,000; completion 05/15/2026; Williamson/Georgetown area); Georgetown power transformer upgrade (gas‑insulated installation, $64,400,000; completion 12/31/2027); Waco Springs Substation addition ($15,000,000; completion 05/15/2026; Comal County); Ridgemoor circuit breaker addition ($2,800,000; completion 10/31/2026; Williamson County); Slicker County property acquisition (approx. $4,300,000; completion 06/30/2026; ~135 acres in West Texas); Settlers upgrade ($48,600,000; completion 10/19/2026; Bastrop County); and Twin Butte circuit breaker/substation upgrade ($5,400,000; completion 05/15/2026; Tom Green County).

During discussion directors asked about the technology and maintenance implications of the Georgetown gas‑insulated solution, which staff said uses sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) in a contained system to achieve higher dielectric strength in a smaller footprint. An engineering staff member explained that SF6 allows equipment to be placed closer together than air‑insulated designs and that the gas is contained and monitored; staff said SF6 intake and usage are reported annually to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Cole said the projects will be submitted to the Public Utility Commission of Texas for rate recovery after completion where appropriate. The board approved the full package after a motion; the meeting record shows the motion carried without recorded opposition.

The board's authorization allows staff to execute the projects and pursue the standard post‑approval steps, including construction, right‑of‑way work, and PUCT filings for rate recovery where applicable. Some projects include associated real‑estate work and easement adjustments that staff said will be pursued in parallel as needed.","The board approved a package of 12 capital improvement projects covering line overhauls, substation upgrades and a Georgetown gas‑insulated transformer; total lifetime budgets were listed per project and completion dates range through 2027.",{"_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},6496491,"LCRA Transmission unit reports fewer safety incidents, $20 million net margin and $5.9 billion five‑year capital plan",190,169000,359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664092-7b605c76b82d19cfeddb725c145333df&start=169&end=359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664092-7b605c76b82d19cfeddb725c145333df/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6496491/Texas/LCRA-Transmission-unit-reports-fewer-safety-incidents-20-million-net-margin-and-59-billion-fiveyear-capital-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496491-8dd0f3826545c513336c6eae5cc4214e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181384&Signature=TqpRzvhmgUfXdBG2-sfwE8ZQ1awFwcG7C9CYVerGlQzmYoNpj9caw3dLZ1fvc6n8HdvSyq6TOn5Q-y6ue0YOns6MznjUySgQ7G3lUmHL-JBdLPXpqo21pQagb-sMnamzOSpmMGL0OAspXGJJ9Y7F2eUhVB~4NfFNxn~t-93emVYsBndag7aezQtzjFi7yWvXPsOhYYdySV-dIJxKGYqhYbZ9-6B8nw7-zwXN1~En3PhcNAzJnnTStRh5ValKLj8GDa4Wor8tE6rt0-PFZJqK~3Jzpnc7VLtSOY5t7OnA92DPdPi0pIZIEDDWQxkGu6gTLWpthXVzwSEczVk3SQ-y8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board of directors of the Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation was told Aug. 20 that transmission operations reduced safety incidents in fiscal 2025 and finished the year with a roughly $20 million net margin.

Chris Kellner, chief operating officer of LCRA Transmission Services Corporation, told the board that total safety incidents, the total recordable incident rate and the preventable motor vehicle incident rate all declined from FY 2024 to FY 2025. \"Our incident rates are below average for the industry and our peers in the state,\" Kellner said.

The report matters because transmission reliability and workforce safety affect how quickly LCRA can complete upgrades and how much it must seek to recover through rates. Kellner said FY 2025 was \"a very busy year\" for transmission and support staff, and he described record levels of capital investment for the unit.

Board materials show LCRA TSC spent $864,300,000 in capital investments in FY 2025, a record for the unit. The team reported completion of 95 projects totaling about $799,600,000; projects cited include work on the Hays Energy-to-Kendall corridor, the Limmer Substation addition in Williamson County and the John Dumas Substation near Maxwell in Caldwell County. Kellner said the John Dumas substation connects the new Timmerman power plant to the grid and that transmission work to interconnect Timmerman Unit 2 is expected during FY 2026.

Finance staff summarized the fiscal results to the board. \"Total LCRA TSC ended the year with a favorable net margin of $20,000,000 or about 4%,\" said Travis, a finance staff member presenting the financial highlights. Revenues exceeded budget by about $26,000,000, driven largely by higher miscellaneous revenues tied to work for Austin Energy, increased generation interconnect study revenues and higher interest income. Those increases were partly offset by lower cost-of-service revenues associated with a delay in the unit's latest rate case. Expenses were higher than budget by about $5,500,000 because of outside services tied to the Austin Energy work; Travis said those outside services were covered by payments from Austin Energy.

The unit reported a debt service coverage ratio of 1.44, exceeding its business plan target of 1.37. On capital spending, staff said LCRA TSC spent about 98% of the board-approved $880,000,000 construction program in FY 2025.

Kellner told directors that LCRA TSC plans to invest at least $5,900,000,000 on capital projects over the next five years to support needs on the ERCOT grid and the LCRA TSC system. The board did not take a formal vote on the five‑year plan during the public session; staff framed the number as the planning-level investment expected to support ERCOT reliability and future interconnections.

The finance presentation also noted a one-time favorable accounting impact in June tied to a change in regulatory accounting for depreciation used in rate-making. Travis told directors the change eliminated a balance-sheet tracking method previously used to reconcile accounting and rate recovery methods, producing a large nonrecurring increase in reported net income for the month of June.

Directors asked clarifying questions during the presentations and the meeting record shows follow-up work will continue through committee review and regular reporting to the board. The board heard the reports in open session and moved on to separate agenda actions later in the meeting.","The Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation reported improved safety performance for fiscal 2025, a $20 million favorable net margin and plans to invest at least $5.9 billion in transmission capital over the next five years.","actionData","errors"]

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LCRA TSC authorizes eminent‑domain option for two transmission‑overhaul projects; staff continues negotiations with landowners

LCRA TSC board approves 12 transmission capital projects including first gas‑insulated substation in Georgetown

LCRA Transmission unit reports fewer safety incidents, $20 million net margin and $5.9 billion five‑year capital plan