TRANSMISSION LINE APPROVAL PROCESS

Transmission planning is an ongoing process that involves continuous internal system review, as well as coordination with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). As an independent, not-for-profit organization, ERCOT is responsible for managing and operating a significant portion of our state's transmission grid. The approval process begins upon identification of a need to expand the system, and continues through the transmission system planning process. While specific steps to approval may vary from project to project, a typical process involves four steps:

• Determining the need for a new line
• Engineering, diverse routing, public feedback and environmental assessment
• Application for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity
• Post-approval landowner communication and construction