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

A. ETI proposes to add new electric transmission infrastructure in Montgomery County by constructing a new single-pole double-circuit 138 kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line. The line will be approximately 10 miles in length (depending on the final route) and will connect the new Millbend substation near I-69 in south Montgomery County to the existing Porter to Parkway transmission line west of Lake Houston Wilderness Park and east of Porter Heights. The study area and approximate locations of the proposed end points and existing transmission line facilities are shown on the map on the website https://www.entergy-texas.com/transmission/millbend/

The proposed single-pole double-circuit transmission line would be erected utilizing either concrete or steel predominately single-pole structures within a right-of-way that would be up to 100 feet wide (which will consist of ~50 feet on either side of the centerline of the proposed transmission facilities, some of which could overlap with other compatible rights-of-ways), depending on the final location.

A. The Millbend 138kV 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 south Montgomery County and surrounding areas, both now and in the future. The proposed new 138kV transmission line will provide the source of power to the new Millbend substation, ensuring reliable distribution service to meet the local power needs by providing a new distribution source to support the area’s load growth. The Millbend substation will be designed to allow for the future economic development in the area.

A. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) ultimately decides if new lines are required to supply electric service. The PUCT also decides the route that 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 (POWER), and the public’s 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 and typically stepped down again to ultimately supply the electrical power to homes and businesses.

A. Entergy Texas and POWER Engineers, Inc develop a study area that includes the remote end points of the transmission line – in this case the new Millbend substation and the existing Porter to Parkway 138kV Transmission Line (L-92). POWER gathers data, maps, aerial photos, and input from federal, state, and local agencies. POWER also conducts field reconnaissance from public access points like roads and highways. Using this information, POWER Engineers, Inc 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 accommodate the various land-uses within the study area. 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 (if any), engineering, construction, operation and maintenance issues, and cost. Through this process, Entergy Texas’s 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 as to 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 138kV lines will be approximately 80 to 130 feet above the ground with span lengths of approximately 600 to 800 feet between structures. Diagrams of typical transmission structures are presented in the materials found on the project website https://www.entergy-texas.com/transmission/millbend/.

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 Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) application and submit it to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (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. After the PUCT makes a decision on Entergy Texas’ application, which if approved, will include the approved route, notices will be sent to landowners who received notice of Entergy Texas’ application advising them of the decision and next steps. 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.