LCRA leaders outline wildfire mitigation, new power and water investments and broadband expansion

Vice Chair Cooper and the board of directors of the Lower Colorado River Authority met Jan. 22, 2025, in an open session where an LCRA executive summarized the authority's wildfire mitigation actions and infrastructure investments across power, water and communications.

The executive said LCRA treats safety as a core value and described transmission construction, vegetation management, inspection and coordinated protocols with state and local first responders intended to prevent, detect and mitigate wildfire damage. LCRA staff also said the authority can take targeted measures such as disabling automated operations on affected lines and, in critical situations, de‑energizing lines when fire threatens rights of way.

Board members heard that LCRA's transmission engineering and construction work aims to strengthen lines against high winds and reduce fire risk. The staff presentation said system operations personnel, emergency…