Lone Star Transmission LLC, a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-headquarted FPL Energy LLC, has filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity to establish a new regulated utility business unit to construct, own and operate transmission facilities in Texas. If approved, the project will provide power for the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and other regions throughout Texas.
Under Lone Star Transmission's plan, the company will build, own and operate a 180-mile to 200-mile, high-voltage, direct-current, open-access transmission line to bring renewable energy resources from West Texas to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Called the DFW Express, the new transmission line would be constructed with a capacity of 2,000 MW and stretch from near Abilene to the Dallas/Fort Worth load center.
"Our proposal to build the DFW Express will enhance the ability to transmit power from West to North Texas and enable continued large-scale development of emission-free wind power in West Texas," says Mitch Davidson, president of FPL Energy. "The DFW Express proposal will help serve the growing energy needs in the Dallas/Fort Worth load center, while minimizing the existing transmission congestion between the regions."
Opening up West Texas to continued wind development through the proposed DFW Express will lead to billions of dollars in capital investments and economic development activity throughout the region, Lone Star Transmission adds.
