II II 1 III II iII i1 1 iII Control N mber: 47461

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Addendum StartPage: 0 THE SENATE 1400 CONGRESS AVENUE er" " COMMITTEES ON: Room GE.7 "tAfr AFFAIRS, VICE CHAIR AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 27ADMINISTRATION 512.463.0101 201B JUN 2 1 PM 3: CRIMINAL JUSTICE CtON EDUCATION 100 INDEPENDENCE PLACE i;L1NG CLERK SUITE 301 TYLER, TEXAS 75703 903.581.1776 BRYAN HUGHES

June 13, 2018

Chairman DeAnn Walker Commissioner Arthur D'Andrea Commissioner Shelly Botkin Public Utility Commission of Texas Attn: Filing Clerk 701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78711

Re: PUC Docket No. 47461; SOAH Docket No. 473-17-5481 - Application of Southwestern Electric Power Company for Certificate of Convenience and Necessity Authorization and Related Relieffor the Wind Catcher Energy Connection Project

Dear Chairman and Commissioners:

We are writing in support of SWEPCO's application for approval of the Wind Catcher Energy Connection project.

For the people and communities we represent in and the Panhandle, lower electricity prices make a big difference. Lower electricity costs are important to individual families, businesses, schools, and local governments. They're essential for economic development and job creation as companies look to build or expand their businesses. We also understand that some of the major parts for the 800 wind turbines will be manufactured in Texas.

SWEPCO's Wind Catcher project saves its customers, who are our constituents, money on their electric bills for 25 years starting in 2021. Over the first 10 years, SWEPCO estimates Texas customers will save an average of about 6 percent. These savings are possible because the electricity can be generated with no cost for fuel and because the project can take full advantage of federal Production Tax Credits. While we do not support government subsidies in the marketplace, we feel strongly that, so long as those subsidies are in place for others, our own constituents should reap the benefits as well.

DISTRICT ONE BOWIE, CAMP, CASS, FRANKLIN, GREGG, HARRISON, LAMAR, MARION, MORRIS, PANOLA, RED RIVER, RUSK, SMITH, TITUS, UPSHUR, WOOD COUNTIES 1

The parties involved in this case have raised many issues in the year-long regulatory review of this project, but the biggest issue is the opportunity that Wind Catcher provides for long-term cost savings. It's an opportunity we hope Texas does not miss.

We appreciate the work that you are doing to evaluate this important project and hope you will consider its many benefits to East Texas and the Panhandle.

Respectfully

Bryan ughes State Senator, District 1 State Representative, Texas House District 7 Ce-A Charles Perry Chris Paddie State Senator, Texas Senate District 28 State Representative, Texas House District 9

eee. oF Kel Seliger State Senator, Texas Senate District 31 State Representative, Texas House District 11

Gary VanDeaver Drew Springer State Representative, Texas House District 1 State Representative, Texas House District 68

Dan Flynn State Representative, Texas House District 2 State Representative, Texas House District 88

Cole Hefner State Representative, Texas House District 5

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