Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Seeks to Amend Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for Transmission Line

Strategic Insights -

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has referred the application of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC to amend its certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) for the Rockhound Switch-to-Connell Switch 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Midland and Martin counties to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). The Commission has delegated authority to the Office of Policy and Docket Management to issue this preliminary order, which identifies the issues that must be addressed in this proceeding and an issue not to be addressed. The applicant proposes to construct, own, and operate a new double-circuit 345-kV transmission line between Oncor's existing Rockhound switch and its planned Connell Switch within Midland and Martin counties.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Public Utility Commission of Texas has referred Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC's application to amend its CCN for the Rockhound Switch-to-Connell Switch 345-kV transmission line to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).
  • The Commission has delegated authority to the Office of Policy and Docket Management to issue this preliminary order, which identifies the issues that must be addressed in this proceeding and an issue not to be addressed.
  • The applicant proposes to construct, own, and operate a new double-circuit 345-kV transmission line between Oncor's existing Rockhound switch and its planned Connell Switch within Midland and Martin counties.
  • The proposed transmission facilities will include the addition of a 345-kV switchyard at the applicant's future Connell switch and modifications to the existing Rockhound 345-kV switch.
  • The applicant has selected double-circuit 345-kV steel monopole structures for the proposed transmission line.
  • The proposed transmission line will serve the growing demand for electricity in Midland and Martin counties.

The applicant has proposed a detailed plan for the construction, ownership, and operation of the new transmission line, including the selection of double-circuit 345-kV steel monopole structures and the addition of a 345-kV switchyard at the applicant's future Connell switch. The proposed transmission line will serve the growing demand for electricity in Midland and Martin counties.

Statistics:

  • The proposed 345-kV transmission line will be a double-circuit 345-kV steel monopole structure spanning a distance of approximately 4 miles northeast of the City of Midland and approximately one mile west of Farm-to-Market Road 1212 in Martin County.
  • The proposed transmission line will include the addition of two new 345-kV breakers, two new A-frame station deadends, and related controls within the footprint of the existing 345-kV switchyard.
  • The planned Connell Switch will be located approximately four miles northeast of the City of Midland and approximately one mile west of Farm-to-Market Road 1212 in Martin County.

Sources:

  • APPLICATION OF ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC TO AMEND ITS CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR THE ROCKHOUND SWITCH-TO-CONNELL SWITCH 345-KV TRANSMISSION LINE IN MIDLAND AND MARTIN COUNTIES ORDER OF REFERRAL AND PRELIMINARY ORDER (2025)