A. Entergy Texas, Inc. (ETI) is an electric utility company that provides service to approximately 450,000 customers in 27 counties.

A. This project proposes to construct a new single-pole double-circuit 230 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line that will connect the new Castle Substation located near the community of Todd Mission in Grimes County to the existing Ponderosa to Grimes 230kV transmission line (L-136) which is located in the vicinity of Dobbin and Montgomery. The existing Grimes Substation is located in North Grimes County. The Ponderosa Substation is located in Montgomery County. Depending on the route selected by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), the new Castle 230kV transmission line will be approximately 7 to 10 miles long.

A. The Castle 230kV transmission line and substation project has been identified by Entergy Texas’ engineers and planners to ensure that ETI’s transmission and distribution system will be able to reliably serve its customers in the growing areas around the expansion of the Hwy 249 corridor, both now and into the future. The proposed new 230kV transmission line will provide the source of power to the new Castle Substation that will ensure reliable distribution service to meet the local power needs by providing new distribution sources to support the area’s load growth. The Castle Substation will be designed to allow for the future economic development in the area.

A. The PUCT ultimately decides if new lines are required to supply electric service. The PUCT also decides the route of new transmission lines will take to connect the remote ends. The PUCT makes its decision based on Entergy Texas’ application to amend its Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN), which includes a routing study conducted by a third-party consulting firm, Power Engineers and the publics input as it relates to the project, including siting of the new electric facilities.

A. Electric power is generated and travels through a network of high-voltage transmission lines and voltage transformation equipment connected at various voltage levels. At Entergy Texas, those voltage levels range from 69kV to 500kV and include those at 138kV and 230kV. The voltage is then reduced, or "stepped down," to a distribution-level voltage, typically 13kV or 35kV, through a transformer at a substation. The electricity is then distributed out of the substation along these lower voltage distribution lines, ultimately supplying the electrical power to homes and businesses

A. Entergy Texas and its third party routing consultant, POWER Engineers (POWER) develops a study area that includes the remote end points of the transmission line – in this case the new Castle Substation and the existing Ponderosa - Grimes 230kv Transmission Line (L-136). POWER gathers data, maps, aerial photos and input from federal and state agencies and local officials. POWER also conducts field reconnaissance from public access points like roads and highways. Using this information, POWER identifies environmental and land use constraints such as subdivisions, parks and known cultural resource sites within the study area. Several preliminary route segments connecting the end points are identified and drawn to avoid these constraints as much as possible, realizing it is practically impossible to avoid all constraints. These preliminary route segments are then presented to the public at an open house. As the public input process continues, route segments may be modified, eliminated or added. Ultimately, Entergy Texas staff will evaluate the routes using factors that include public input, human/ natural/ cultural resource impacts, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance issues and cost. Under this process, Entergy Texas staff recommends several alternative routes connecting the project end points. These alternative routes are then included in Entergy Texas’ Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) application that will be filed with the PUCT. Once the CCN application is filed, all routes and route segments are available for selection and approval by the PUCT. The PUCT will make the final decision whether to approve Entergy Texas’ application and will select the route on which the transmission line and its facilities will be constructed.

A. The project will use either steel or concrete, predominately single-pole double-circuit structures. Typical transmission structures supporting 230kV lines will be approximately 80 to 130 feet above the ground with span lengths of approximately 600 to 800 feet between structures. A diagram of a typical transmission structure will be presented on posters at the open house.

A. After the open house, ETI and POWER will evaluate all public comments and, if necessary, conduct additional engineering and environmental analysis of the options. Some of the preliminary route segments may be eliminated or modified. Others may be added based on public input and additional analysis. Entergy Texas will identify and evaluate, in detail, a set of primary alternative routes made up of the various alternative route segments. POWER will prepare an Environmental Assessment and Alternative Route Analysis Report (sometimes called an EA or routing study) for Entergy Texas to review. Entergy Texas will prepare the CCN application and submit it to the PUCT, which will include the EA. Upon submitting the CCN application (currently scheduled for the first quarter 2021), Entergy Texas will mail letters to landowners who are owners of land located within 300 feet of any proposed route, explaining how they can participate in the PUCT CCN proceeding. Public notifications regarding the CCN filing will also be published in newspapers in the affected areas. If the PUCT approves Entergy Texas’ application, final notices will be sent to directly affected landowners who received notice of Entergy Texas’ application advising them of the selected route, together with the PUCT’s Final Order. The PUCT should reach a decision on the CCN application within a year after Entergy Texas files its application.

A. If approved by the PUCT, the new transmission line is scheduled to be operational by June 2024.