Rotunda Report: District Update & Kittyhawk Public Comment Period

State Representative Jeff Leach District Update Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas As you may know the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas is considering a prospective development in our area of great magnitude one that I believe has the potential to result in devastating impacts to our community.  The purpose of this email is to provide you with detailed information concerning this project along with information concerning public input opportunities for you and all residents within the surrounding areas of this project. Last week the PUC conducted a public meeting in Austin and heard testimony on a proposal to construct approximately 2-5 miles of a new double-circuit 138-kV electric transmission line which will ultimately connect to a new transmission substation.  Deemed as the Kittyhawk Substation" this proposed project is based along the corridor of Highway 121 near Alma & Stacy Road and is projected to cost at least $25 million - a cost that consumers would ultimately bear through utility rates. After hearing from many concerned citizens local landowners and the City of Allen I am confident that a project of this magnitude if not handled diligently by addressing public concerns has the potential to devastate future economic development along this corridor harm our landowners and result in lower property values for our residents.  As the elected State Representative who represents this corridor I was proud to attend this hearing and respectfully testify against this project to make sure that our collective voices are heard loud and clear.  To be clear the need for this project remains to be seen and to date the burden of proof to substantiate such a project has not been met according to utility experts within the PUC staff. Going forward YOU have the opportunity to weigh-in on this proposal without making a trip to Austin.  The PUC welcomes public comment in written form and comments may be sent directly to my office where they will be forwarded and posted to the PUC website and distributed to the PUC Commissioners and all parties to the case.  Should you elect to submit public comments I encourage you to do so as soon as possible as the PUC is scheduled to take up this proposal again for reconsideration on January 11 2018. You may send public comments electronically to my office by referencing Docket 46429 in the heading of your email and sending to District67.Leach@house.texas.gov.  Alternatively you may mail your comments to my District Office at 777 E. 15th Street Suite 202 Plano TX 75074.  If you elect to mail your comments please reference Docket 46429 in the heading of your letter. As always I encourage you to contact my District Office at 972.424.1419 with any questions or concerns.  You have my commitment to update you accordingly as more details become available.