Electric Department ~ (830) 997-7521 Superintendent - Lee Stubblefield Line Foreman - Jeff Wanek
Electric Distribution & ServiceThe City of Fredericksburg buys it's wholesale power from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)  The LCRA owns and operates an electric system with a capacity of 2,398 megawatts. It consists of hydroelectric, gas and coal-fueled generators. At the Fayette Power Project, the LCRA fully owns one coal-fired generator and co-owns two other coal units with the City of Austin. The LCRA also owns two gas-fired generating plants (Sim Gideon and Ferguson), operates six dams with hydroelectric generating capacity, and receives power from the Texas Wind Power Project in West Texas. Electricity flows from LCRA's plants to the City of Fredericksburg through a transmission system covering about 27,000 square miles. The system interconnects with other members of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which consists of 79 electric utilities, giving the LCRA the opportunity to generate revenue from transporting (wheeling) power from one utility to another. LCRA's System Operations Control Center (SOCC), located in Austin, operates around the clock, with a variety of sophisticated computers and communication networks, including microwave, two-way mobile radio and switched telephone. Through this system, the SOCC can communicate with generation plants, substations and mobile units anywhere in the service area. The LCRA was the first utility in Texas to have a fully functional backup control center that can be called on in event of equipment or facility failure at the SOCC. If the Transmission system fails at any point, an alarm sounds from a computer and a map appears on the computer screen with a diagram of the substation or line segment where the problem occurred. The SOCC staff can alert repair crews and often reroute power so that any interruptions in the electric service occur only for brief periods. The Electric Utility department is responsible for the operation and maintenance associated with the reliable distribution of electricity to residential and commercial customers from the City's interconnection with LCRA at the Nimitz Substation, located out RR 965 or the Fredericksburg Electric Substation located on Hwy 16 S. Major staff responsibility and associated costs are also appropriated toward new construction, system expansion and replacement, which are augmented and funded through the City's Capital Budgets.
Power Line SafetyA foremost concern at the City of Fredericksburg Electric Department is the safety of our customers and employees. We exercise a great deal of care ensuring that our facilities are safe. But even with our many precautions, electrical contact accidents have occurred. REMEMBER, ELECTRIC POWER LINES CAN KILL! After the electrical power has passed through the distribution substations, it has been reduced to a voltage of 12,500 volts (12.5kV). This is the voltage of the wires on the top of the poles in an overhead area, or in the cable in an underground system. 13.2 kV is a low enough voltage where the clearance requirements allow the wires to be reasonably placed in residential and commercial areas. At this voltage, however, the electrical losses are still relatively low.  The customer should be aware that at this voltage, tree limbs and other objects that the customer normally thinks of as "non-conductive" will conduct electricity. It is not safe to attempt and move a distribution line with a piece of wood or other object. In case of emergencies with distribution voltages it is imperative that the Electric Department be contacted to handle the emergency. The highest numbers of interruptions occur at this level, as the exposure is the greatest. When you are working near power lines or moving tools and equipment (cranes, scaffolds, bucket trucks, piping, etc.) near power lines, stay alert. The Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 752, prohibits all activities in which persons or equipment MAY come within six (6) feet of energized over- head high voltage power lines. These laws carry both criminal and civil liabilities. In addition, contractors and owners are legally responsible for the safety of construction workers under these laws. If you or your company must work near overhead power lines, CALL US AT (830) 997-7521. We will help you arrange for the lines to be de-energized and/or moved. Make your work place a safe one, and remember to LOOK UP AND LIVE near overhead lines.
TelecommunicationsThe City of Fredericksburg owns and operates it's own fiber optic cable network. The network is routed through certain parts of Fredericksburg along our utility lines. At present, the network is used for City of Fredericksburg internal communication. Through inter-governmental agreements, dark fiber is leased to the Fredericksburg Independent School District, the County of Gillespie and Hill Country Memorial Hospital System for campus to campus connectivity for their internal network.
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