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LCRA

LCRA sell-off plan raises the ire of Burnet County officials

Monday, 23 April 2012 09:59 Nicole Lessin • Special to the Tribune

AUSTIN — As the Lower Colorado River Authority moves to sell costly retail water and wastewater systems, Burnet County officials are expressing frustration with the water purveyor, saying there was delayed communication on a deal that directly affects their constituents.

“The concern is that LCRA offered to sell us a utility, Bonanza Beach, through a press release without having ever spoken with us about it,” said Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger in a phone interview April 19.

What’s more, said Klaeger, the county isn’t even in the business of running such a utility. This also is the second time officials have learned of LCRA’s sell-off plans through a press release, instead of governmental channels.

Showdown looming over LCRA water plan

Monday, 20 February 2012 16:05 Raymond V. Whelan • Tribune Staff

AUSTIN — The water war between the Highland Lakes and rice farmers reaches a critical phase this week with the possible approval of a plan to manage the Lower Colorado River basin during drought.

Both sides will muster their forces when the Lower Colorado River Authority board meets 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 3700 Lake Austin Blvd. in Austin.

Rep. Howard vows to reform LCRA board

Monday, 09 January 2012 12:35 Raymond V. Whelan • Tribune Staff

BURNET — A state lawmaker is vowing to make waves again by introducing legislation to reform the appointment process for the Lower Colorado River Authority board.

“It has to do with affecting more local accountability,” state Rep. Donna Howard told The Tribune Jan. 4 after a local speaking engagement.

She wants to limit how many appointments the governor can make to the board by giving local leaders a bigger voice.

The veteran educator, a Democrat whose district includes much of Travis County, was in town to address the Burnet County Democrats Executive Committee.

LCRA to upgrade power lines near Ferguson plant

Monday, 24 October 2011 10:14 Special to The Tribune

HORSESHOE BAY — LCRA will upgrade about four miles of transmission lines between the Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant and Wirtz Dam in the coming weeks to handle consumers’ growing electric demand.

Construction should be finished by June, Lower Colorado River Authority officials said Friday.

The upgrades are not part of any Competitive Renewable Energy Zone projects, such as the controversial proposal to build a line near Lake Buchanan that recently was denied by the state, officials said.

Nor are they related to the new power plant LCRA plans to build to replace the aging Ferguson facility, officials said.

All the work will take place in LCRA’s existing transmission easement, and LCRA has individually notified nearby landowners.

The upgrade will improve electric reliability for customers.

LCRA offering San Antonio Water System $30 million settlement in billion-dollar water-project lawsuit

Wednesday, 19 October 2011 12:09 Special to The Tribune

AUSTIN — The Lower Colorado River Authority has offered to settle a $1.2 billion lawsuit for $30 million with the San Antonio Water System over a proposed wat er-supply project, officials said Oct. 19.

The SAWS board of directors will consider approving the breach-of-contract settlement offer at a Nov. 1 meeting, a release said.

“Through this settlement, San Antonians will recover a significant portion of their investment in the LCRA water supply project, and avoid ongoing legal fees,” said Robert R. Puente, president/chief executive officer of SAWS.

The LCRA board of directors Oct. 19 agreed to immediately reimburse SAWS $18.8 million and then $1.4 million a year for eight years, a release said. The agreement will officially terminate the contract and end the lawsuit.

SAWS and LCRA also agreed to continue working to secure additional water through joint efforts to benefit both agencies, a release said.