CPS Energy is planning to build a new power line in the Westover Hills area in northwest Bexar County.  The power line route will be about two miles long, starting at the existing CPS Energy Anderson Substation west of Loop 1604 and ending at the new CPS Energy Westover Hills Substation (under construction) east of Rogers Rd.  We are studying the area indicated below for possible paths between the substations.

The 138,000-volt power line will deliver large amounts of electricity to Westover Hills.  This type of high-capacity power line is called a “transmission line.” Taller than the distribution lines (often referred to as telephone poles) that you might see along city streets, this transmission line will extend about two miles and stand in an easement about 100 feet wide. A picture is attached.  Due to growing demands for electricity in this area, the new line is needed by April 2010 to maintain electrical reliability.

Many new businesses, hospitals and homes are planned or under construction in the Westover Hills area.  The demand for electricity is increasing rapidly. The existing CPS Energy electric system must be expanded to serve customers’ needs for reliable electric power.

After the route of the transmission line is decided, CPS Energy will acquire easement rights along the path of the transmission line to allow construction, operation and maintenance of electric utility facilities. While the landowners will continue to own the properties, easement rights will allow CPS Energy to use a portion of the land for building the line and for the line’s long-term operation and maintenance.  

We will contact landowners directly affected by the construction of the proposed power line and will strive to minimize disruptions to landowners and their properties.

CPS Energy is the nation’s largest municipally owned energy company providing both natural gas and electric service.  The City of San Antonio bought the electric and gas utilities in 1942. Today, CPS Energy generates, transmits and distributes electricity to approximately 685,000 customers and provides natural gas to almost 320,000 customers in and around Greater San Antonio.  CPS Energy bills rank the lowest of the nation’s 20 largest cities.

CPS Energy’s goals are to avoid substantial, long-term environmental impacts and to balance the public need for reliable electric service with the effects of the electric facilities on people and the environment.

We will follow an open, public process to prepare a routing study and develop a route for the transmission line.  Public input will be considered when evaluating alternative routes, along with other factors such as the environment, aesthetics, cost and land use. We will host an open house to provide information on the project and receive customer comments on the alternative routes. 

The CPS Energy project team will present maps, displays and details on the process at the open house in the Westover Hills area, and we will post information on the CPS Energy Web site.

CPS Energy will recommend a preferred route for the transmission line and present it, along with the routing study and alternative routes, to the CPS Energy Board of Trustees, the five-member body that sets policy for CPS Energy.  The Board will make the final decision on the route.  After Board approval, we will send the final route to the San Antonio City Council and request an ordinance to acquire right-of-way by eminent domain, if necessary.  CPS Energy will notify all affected landowners before the preferred route is presented to the Board of Trustees.

The Web site will include regular updates on the project as steps are completed. Also, you may call or write to CPS Energy:

P. George Corrigan, Project Manager
Anderson–Westover Hills Transmission Project
Mail Code 111008
CPS Energy
San Antonio, Texas 78296-1771
(210) 353 4168

PROJECT PHONE LINE:  If you would like to receive printed information or request a call back from the project team, please call the Project Phone Line at (210) 353-4168 and leave your name and telephone number and/or U.S. mailing address or e-mail address.