Over the last several months, Jon Koonsman has written quite
eloquently about family and his love of the Big Tree. In telling the story of
the Big Tree, he has also written a great deal about Lone Star Transmission and
NextEra Energy. I’d like to share with you some information about our companies
that you might find of interest.
We’re proud of our position as the nation’s leading renewable
energy generator. We think a power generation source like wind that doesn’t
negatively impact the air we breathe or use any water is important and needs to
be part of our energy mix both in Texas and across the nation. We believe in
the environmental and economic benefits that renewable energy provides, and we
believe most Texans do as well. That’s why Texas leads the nation in wind
energy generation. But that is not all that we do, nor is that all we do in
Texas. You see, we’ve been generating power to serve Texan’s energy needs for
more than a decade. We’ve invested more than $5 billion in power plants in the
state and that includes both wind and natural gas-fired power plants. We also
employ approximately 250 men and women that safely and reliably operate these
plants, and they all call Texas home.
We’re equally proud of Lone Star Transmission and the work that
company is doing to enhance the overall reliability of the transmission system
in Texas, and at the same time, providing much needed jobs and economic
stimulus throughout Texas. Contrary to what you may have read, the transmission
line we are building is not a “wind only” line. All forms of power generation
will flow across this line, and the overall reliability of the transmission
system will be enhanced. That’s good for all Texans. We also believe that once
our line and others like it are built, all Texans will benefit from lower
electric rates that will more than offset the cost to build the new lines.
Our transmission line project will create approximately 900
construction jobs during the roughly three year construction period. Once the
transmission line is operational, we estimate it will generate tens of millions
of dollars over its life in property tax revenue, which will enhance the
communities and school districts of the counties the project is located in.
It is true that our transmission line is a large and complex
construction project, and as with any project like this, there will be some
impacts. We have worked for more than 16 months with dozens of stakeholders to
site our line in such a way as to minimize the impacts to the greatest extent
possible, and that includes the Big Tree. Through dialogue and a healthy dose
of give and take, we have been able to resolve most of the concerns related to
our transmission line. Over time, we have made a number of modifications to the
line to accommodate concerns raised by a number of stakeholders.
It is understandable that some people do not welcome a
transmission line because it will change the landscape. However, we are
confident that once operational this line will have a positive impact on the
reliability of the electric system in Texas for decades to come.
Lone Star Transmission
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