TxDOT and Electric Power Transmission Lines

Details

• Creators:
  Nash, Phillip T. ; Hood, John ; Hutson, Nathan ; Knipstein, Ben ; Loftus-Otway, Lisa ; Smith, Douglas. ; Sober, Joseph C ; Walker, Richard P ; Welch, Ben
• Corporate Contributors:
  Texas Department of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Case Studies Electric Power Transmission Facilities Joint Development Legal Factors Location Partnerships Public Utilities Renewable Energy Sources Right Of Way (Land) Stakeholders Underground Utility Lines Wind Power Generation

  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA/TX-10/0-6495-1
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  September 2009-August 2010
• Corporate Publisher:
  Texas. Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  Rural areas of Texas are being extensively developed as locations for renewable energy projects and generation facilities. Wind power, solar power, and other renewable energy technologies are viewed by the public as the next economic boom and have been compared to the oil boom of the early twentieth century. However, studies have indicated that the existing transmission network is unable to support significant transmission of electricity from additional wind generation. The Public Utilities Commission of Texas created Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) to match renewable resources with needs in pursuit of adequate future transmission. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has the potential for a unique and expansive role in the development of future transmission capacity given the authorizations contained in House Bill 3588 that allow the department to build, own, or operate transmission. The purpose of this study was to provide baseline information and case studies to better define TxDOT’s role in electric power transmission lines and partnering with public utilities. Technical and legal issues were documented in literature and legal analysis undertaken during the study. Stakeholders in electric power generation and transmission were identified, and researchers interviewed a variety of state agencies, transmission providers, renewable energy non-profit organizations, property rights advocates, independent system operators, public utilities and other state departments of transportation. The researchers conclude that at present, the location of transmission alongside transportation is a reasonable and achievable goal. While there are incongruencies in the comparative planning regimens of TxDOT and transmission developers, none seem to present an unbreachable barrier to successful joint development. There are numerous examples of successful installations around the country. In most cases, these alignments are placed just outside of the highway right of way (ROW) on private land, though in a few cases they have also been placed within the ROW. Avoiding conflict with landowners and preserving landscapes was found to be the primary motivation for co-location. The research offered recommendations that would be required (federally and locally) to encourage utility accommodation within ROW, and enhance TxDOT's role in this process.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  0-6495
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d2c792b079c9aca4042d78ddf031b2e0612afcf7c52064d5f44434fde8ee290bce9ca40ba546ab47752556ac654d82a2df56d18b7350fa631f71f466e90e3ca1
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/89050/dot_89050_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 5.40 MB ]