P.O. Box 982
El Paso, Texas
79960-0982
(915) 543-5711
EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY MONTANA POWER STATION TRANSMISSION LINES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q. WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR OBTAINING REGULATORY APPROVAL TO OWN, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION LINES? A. In Texas, application must be made to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (“PUC”). The PUC decides whether new transmission lines are needed, and if so, which proposed alternative route will be selected. Q. HAS EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY (“EPE”) FILED APPLICATIONS FOR THE TRANSMISSION LINES ASSOCIATED WITH THE MONTANA POWER STATION (“MPS”)? A. Yes. EPE filed three separate applications with the PUC seeking authorization to build the following transmission lines as part of the MPS project. 
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MPS to Caliente: a 115‐kV transmission line from MPS to the existing Caliente Substation in east El Paso. MPS In & Out: a 115‐kV transmission line from MPS to intersect with the existing Caliente ‐ Coyote 115kV transmission line. MPS to Montwood: a 115‐kV transmission line from MPS to the existing Montwood Substation in east El Paso. 1
P.O. Box 982
El Paso, Texas
79960-0982
(915) 543-5711
Q. WHEN DID EPE MAKE THESE FILINGS AT THE PUC? A. Transmission Line Date of Filing at the PUC April 15, 2013 April 15, 2013 September 24, 2013 MPS to Caliente (PUC Dkt. No. 41360) MPS In & Out (PUC Dkt. No. 41359) MPS to Montwood (PUC Dkt. No. 41809) Q. WHY IS EPE REQUESTING TO BUILD THESE TRANSMISSION LINES? A. EPE is requesting to build these transmission lines to connect the new Montana Power Station to the electrical grid in order to meet increased customer growth and electric demand and to improve system reliability. Q. WHERE WILL THESE TRANSMISSION LINES BE BUILT? A. The PUC has not yet made those determinations. In its filed applications, EPE identified multiple potential routes for each transmission line. The PUC will determine the final route for each transmission line. Q. HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY PROPERTY MAY BE AFFECTED? A. EPE mailed notice letters to the owners of habitable structures within 300 feet of the centerline along each of the proposed route options and to the owners of property over which an easement or right‐of‐
way may be needed for the proposed route options. If you believe that you should have, but did not receive notice of one or all of the proposed transmission lines, please contact Lawrence F. Thoenen, EPE Manager of Project Management and Quality Assurance, at (915) 543‐5811 or at larry.thoenen@epelectric.com. 2
P.O. Box 982
El Paso, Texas
79960-0982
(915) 543-5711
Q. WHAT IS THE LENGTH AND ESTIMATED COST OF EACH TRANSMISSION LINE? A. Transmission Line MPS to Caliente (PUC Dkt. No. 41360) MPS In & Out (PUC Dkt. No. 41359) MPS to Montwood (PUC Dkt. No. 41809) Length Range Estimated Cost 2.4 to 4.8 miles $4.6 million to $8.4 million 1.3 to 1.6 miles $4.4 million to $4.5 million 5.3 to 7.3 miles $9.2 million to $10.8 million Q. HAS EPE CONSIDERED THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE TRANSMISSION LINES? A. Yes. Pursuant to the PUC’s requirements, EPE completed an Environmental Assessment of each potential transmission corridor for each of the proposed transmission lines. The Environmental Assessment evaluated 40 different criteria under the categories of ecology, cultural resources, land use, and aesthetics. The Environmental Assessment will be considered by the PUC in determining the final routes. EPE has conducted specific biological and cultural resource surveys on the potential routes and will continue to work with various State and Federal natural resource agencies. Q. HOW MAY SOMEONE BECOME A PARTY TO THIS CASE? A. EPE provided this information in its public notices. The deadline for intervention is: Transmission Line MPS to Caliente (PUC Dkt. No. 41360) MPS In & Out (PUC Dkt. No. 41359) MPS to Montwood (PUC Dkt. No. 41809) Intervention Deadline July 15, 2013 July 15, 2013 December 5, 2013 The PUC should receive a letter from anyone requesting intervention by that date. The PUC has a brochure titled “Landowners and Transmission Line Cases at the PUC.” Copies of the brochure may be downloaded from the PUC’s website at www.puc.state.tx.us and are also available from Lawrence F. Thoenen, EPE Manager of Project Management and Quality Assurance, at (915) 543‐
5811 or larry.thoenen@epelectric.com. 3