Nucor to Provide Steel for Renewable Energy Super Highway in Texas
04/03/2009 - Nucor’s Jewett plant will supply 54,000 tons of steel for transmission line towers for the Renewable Energy Super Highway that will move wind power throughout Texas.
Nucor’s Jewett, Texas plant has been awarded a contract to supply 54,000 tons of steel for transmission line towers that will help to form the “Renewable Energy Super Highway,” that will move wind power from West Texas to the rest of the state.
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The Renewable Energy Super Highway is being constructed as part of a broader initiative by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to construct transmission improvements designed to interconnect existing and future renewable energy facilities to transmit electricity from Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) identified by the PUCT.
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Texas-based Falcon Steel will use the steel supplied by Nucor to fabricate 120- to 130-foot towers for Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, which has been assigned by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to complete a portion its Competitive Renewable Energy Zone construction projects. The steel towers will support the super highway’s more than 800 miles of transmission lines.
“Oncor has a long history of being at the forefront of economic development and job creation in Texas, from the early days of bringing electricity to rural areas to our current efforts to build the first Renewable Energy Super Highway,” Bob Shapard, Oncor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said. “Devising a creative, workable way to protect the environment and deliver clean, renewable energy to Texans was the next logical step for us.”
U.S. Rep. Kay Granger praised Oncor, Falcon Steel and Nucor for the creative thinking and cooperative spirit that led to the development of a five-year agreement to build the 3800 transmission line towers out of recycled steel. Their efforts will result in one of the largest transmission line construction projects built from recycled materials in the United States.
“Oncor, Falcon Steel and Nucor have shown that companies that are willing to innovate can succeed even in this challenging economy,” said Granger. “This is a homegrown project that will provide good jobs here in Texas. Best of all, everything about the project is designed with environmental concerns in mind. Every transmission tower on this project will represent another step on the way to energy independence.”
Falcon Steel will begin fabrication of the towers immediately, while construction is to start later this year.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Nucor Corp. and its affiliates manufacture steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include carbon and alloy steel bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; light gauge steel framing; steel grating and expanded metal; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through The David J. Joseph Co., also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and HBI/DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and non ferrous scrap. Nucor is North America's largest recycler.
Falcon Steel Co. is a 46-year-old steel fabrication and galvanizing company with offices in Fort Worth, Kaufman, Lubbock and Euless, Texas. Falcon builds steel structures for the electric utility industry, highway departments, and commercial and industrial companies across the nation.
Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC is a regulated electric distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, delivering power to approximately 3 million homes and businesses and operating more than 117,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas. While owned by a limited number of investors (including majority owner, Energy Future Holdings Corp.), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which comprises a majority of independent directors.
