----5/17/2010----

LINCOLN - Persons who may be impacted by a transmission line that will cross central Lincoln are invited to learn more about the project and offer their opinions at two open houses hosted by Lincoln Electric System (LES) May 20 at Antelope Park in the Auld Pavilion, A Street & Capital Parkway, said Energy Delivery Vice President Dan Pudenz.

Customers can provide their input on LES' Central Lincoln Reliability Project at two sessions May 20 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Pudenz said the line will connect four substations at 56th and Everett, 30th and A, a new substation at 21st and N, and 17th and Holdrege.

The project will replace a 115 kilovolt (kV) line installed underground 35 years ago, which is nearing the end of its expected life, he said. Also adding to the need for the line is an increase in energy use east of downtown Lincoln and increasing the reliability of the entire system.

The schedule calls for LES to select a transmission line route by the end of this year, with construction starting in 2012 and completing in 2016, Pudenz said.

For more information about the Central Lincoln Reliability Project, visit www.les.com and click on "Transmission Lines," call the project information line at (402) 817-4040 or follow the project on Twitter and Facebook.