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Opting not to join the Southwest Power Pool Inc. in order to avoid FERC oversight, Lubbock Power & Light has decided to pursue becoming part of the renewables-heavy Electric Reliability Council of Texas Inc. grid system in 2019, with an eye on cheaper and diverse electricity resources at its fingertips.
"This solution is a departure from past thinking. We're anticipating future demand. Growth requires a more effective and efficient power structure. This is a 21st century utility solution -- we are creating our future in an innovative way," the Texas-based municipal utility said in a web posting unveiling its "2019 Solution" plan.
LP&L said it will be conducting a full transmission study in the coming weeks to be submitted to ERCOT for approval. And then over the next year, additional studies will be conducted by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, ERCOT and itself to look more closely at the technicalities of the future transition.
"Over the next four years, additional infrastructure will be constructed in order to connect the LP&L system to the ERCOT power grid in 2019. In many instances this infrastructure is already a part of LP&L's existing long-term capital improvement plan," the utility said. "Many of the projects undertaken over the past two years related to reliability will cover what needs to be in place before the final transition. Additional areas of construction needed, such as new transmission lines and substations, will be studied and decided upon as part of the official review to take place through the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT."
LP&L said it made the decision because of what it sees as several major advantages,...