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