Jan 24 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Kevin Welch Amarillo Globe-News, Texas

A variety of groups interested in wind energy weren't shy about telling regulators on Tuesday how much they don't like a proposed rule.

Of 19 responses to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas, none supported a rule some say will make getting wind power from West Texas to the state's population centers take up to a year longer. The latest schedule puts construction starting after August 2009.

The proposed rule would control how the PUC chooses and oversees companies to build, maintain and operate transmission lines serving wind farms yet to be built.

The Texas Coalition of Cities for Utility Issues said it is concerned the result would be prolonged regulatory reviews, increased costs for consumers and a potentially less reliable grid if companies cut corners to try to win construction performance awards or avoid performance penalties.

The group echoed a collection of companies, several with Panhandle projects planned, that filed a joint statement asking for little or no change.

"The existing system works. It works well. Accordingly, before the commission commences down a path that would lead to a partial or complete restructuring of the methodology for designating transmission providers, it should review again the capability of the existing process," according to the joint filing.

Transmission company Oncor agreed and added a caution.

"In particular, several aspects of the proposed rule could be subject to legal challenge on appeal, which would substantially delay implementation of the rule and dramatically impede the development of necessary transmission," Oncor said in its filing.

A farm group worried about how transmission companies rushing to meet performance deadlines might affect its members.

"The rule as initially proposed provides an implicit reward ... to disregard landowner interests and to proceed immediately to a condemnation proceeding in order for no time to be wasted," the Texas Farm Bureau wrote.