POWER SERVICES
INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES TO DESIGN, DEVELOP, AND GROW
Transmission and distribution, reliability systems, maintenance projects, and inspection services
Underground Transmission and Distribution
With more than 125 years of combined experience, our Underground Electric team brings deep expertise in the installation, relocation, and preservation of underground utilities. As urban growth and improved trenchless technologies make underground distribution increasingly viable, we provide end-to-end support from initial studies and permitting through detailed design and energization. Our approach ensures efficient routing, traffic control, and coordination, with routes selected carefully after all design, environmental, and community considerations have been evaluated.
Overhead Distribution
Our overhead distribution team has successfully delivered projects for leading utilities and public agencies including CenterPoint Energy, AEP, CPS Energy, TxDOT, and multiple municipalities and counties across Texas. These projects span relocations, feeder extensions, span replacements, underground residential distribution loop rehabilitations, and pole replacements. Each designer undergoes extensive training in client standards, safety, and
software such as SAP, Distribution Design Studio (DDS), and MicroStation, along with field visits and plan/profile comprehension. Field verification with photos and video ensures accuracy before design begins, and every project is reviewed through a rigorous QA/QC process prior to delivery.
Overhead Transmission
Our transmission engineers and designers have decades of experience delivering projects from 34.5 kilovolts (kV) up to 500 kV. Collectively, they have supported thousands of miles of new line construction, rebuilds, rerates, and as-built modeling across every major ISO/RTO in North America. Beyond transmission, our staff has designed interconnects and collection systems for utility-scale solar projects exceeding 100 megawatts. Each team member is trained in leading software tools including PLS-CADD, PLS-Pole, Sag10, and foundation design programs. Many of our staff have also contributed to IEEE standards development and partnered with organizations like EPRI and NEETRAC on industry research.
DDS Experience
DCCM is recognized as a leader in DDS with more than 50 trained users supporting CenterPoint Energy and AEP. This expertise allows us to consistently deliver utility-specific designs that meet strict standards while driving efficiency through shared processes, integrated QA/QC, and rapid turnarounds. Our scale ensures the ability to mobilize quickly, handle large project volumes, and maintain continuity across diverse territories. For FirstEnergy, our proven DDS adoption means seamless integration into existing workflows with no lengthy training required. Backed by a deep bench of DDStrained staff and a strong focus on accuracy, schedule reliability, and collaboration, DCCM is prepared to be a trusted extension of your team and accelerate FirstEnergy’s distribution design and capital programs.
Our long-term relationships and solid record of success are why our clients call on us again and again.
Power Services
Underground Distribution and Transmission
- Project Management
- Conflict Analysis
- Aerial to Underground Conversion Design
- Traffic Control Design
- Street Cut Design
- Specifications
- Bid Packages
- Construction Phase Services
- Survey Coordination
- Route Staking
- Permitting Procurement
Overhead Distribution
- Substation Feeder Getaway Design
- Overhead Feeder Extensions
- Overhead Feeder Rebuilds
- Grid Hardening
- Governmental Road Widening
- Beautification Projects
- Fuse Coordination
- Cost Estimates
Overhead Transmission
- Greenfield Transmission Projects
- Route Selection
- Solar Interconnects and Collection Systems
- CCN Support and Testimony
- Permitting
- Line Rebuilds
- Line Reratings
- Voltage Upgrades
- As-Built Surveying and Modeling
- Interconnections
- Clearance Checks
- Standards Development
- Conductor Selection Studies
- Structure Selection Studies
- EMF Studies
Meet the Team
Jim has over 30 years of experience in electrical engineering and power delivery, leading major utility projects, including Southern California Edison’s $2 billion TLRR program and Avangrid Networks’ $2.5 billion resiliency program. Known for his strategic vision and technical expertise, he focuses on planning, stakeholder engagement, and innovative engineering to enhance system reliability and resilience.
Martin has over 28 years of experience in the power utility sector, and 9 years in consulting with expertise in power plants, substations, SCADA systems, and transmission and distribution. He has held management roles with CPS Energy and Pedernales Electric Cooperative and consulted for clients such as American Electric Power, Spectrum, and Verizon. Known for his technical expertise and leadership, Martin has managed projects in distribution design, transmission construction, and telecommunications.
Youssef has 24 years of experience in utility engineering, specializing in electrical transmission and distribution, telecommunications, and natural gas. Known for his leadership and ability to coordinate across agencies and consultants, he has managed major CenterPoint Energy projects including IH 10, US 290, and IH 45/SH 99 utility relocations and expansions.
Deryl has nearly 42 years of experience in electric utility and customer service, holding roles at CenterPoint Energy in engineering, service delivery, and distribution operations. He has served as Service Area Director, Director of Distribution Programs, Major Underground Operations, and Vice President of Distribution and Service Delivery. Known for his expertise and leadership, Deryl is committed to enhancing operations and the customer experience.
Larry has over 55 years of engineering and management experience, rising from Electrical Engineer at BinkleyBarfield | DCCM to Chairman Emeritus. A past State of Texas Engineer of the Year, he brings expertise in planning, design, and construction for diverse projects, including utility coordination, power distribution, emergency generation, and instrumentation systems.
Erich has spent nearly three decades at CenterPoint Energy and retired as the Manager of the Transmission Department. Erich managed and oversaw large transmission projects ranging from 69 kV to 138 Kv, including the IH 10 Expansion project in Houston, Texas. Since then, Erich has joined BinkleyBarfied | DCCM as the subject matter expert providing QA/QC in all related transmission projects.
JIM CODLING, PE
VICE PRESIDENT, POWER & UTILITIES NATIONAL BUSINESS LINE LEADER
YOUSSEF LAHAM, PE PRESIDENT
LARRY BARFIELD, PE, FNSPE, FTEF, FSAME COO POWER AND UTILITIES | CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
ERICH SCHOENNAGEL, PE TECHNICAL ADVISOR
MARTIN BENAVIDEZ, PE VICE PRESIDENT – POWER SERVICES
DERYL TUMLINSON VICE PRESIDENT –CORPORATE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT
www.dccm.com
SUBSTATION ENGINEERING, PERMITTING, AND COORDINATION CAPABILITIES
DCCM delivers full-service engineering and project delivery for high-voltage substations, from 345 kV generation interconnections to distribution-level upgrades. We combine in-house civil, structural, electrical, environmental, and permitting expertise to provide turnkey support from concept through energization, ensuring that our utility clients meet capacity, reliability, and compliance goals.
CORE CAPABILITIES
CIVIL
AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Substation Design: 69 kV to 345 kV facilities, including urban, rural, and renewable interconnect sites
Equipment Integration: Multi-transformer banks (up to 80 MVA), breaker-and-a-half, ring bus, double-bus, SCADA-ready systems
Foundations and Containment: Heavy equipment pads, oil spill systems, flood-mitigated foundations
Balance-of-Plant: Stormwater, grading, drainage, access roads, trenching, and duct banks
PERMITTING AND REGULATORY
Approvals: Coordination with TxDOT, counties, municipalities, MUDs, and environmental agencies
Compliance: Wetland delineation, USACE permits, SWQMP, CLOMR/LOMR-F floodplain approvals
Utility/ROW: Platting, easements, ROW agreements, and county/municipal road use agreements
CONSTRUCTION AND OWNER’S ENGINEERING
Bid Prep: Full packages with drawings, specs, and takeoffs
Administration: RFI management, design clarifications, inspections, punchlists
Closeout: As-builts documents, survey coordination, GIS data, and final records
WHY DCCM?
PROJECT EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Seabrook Substation (138 kV): Complete site civil design, stormwater detention, permitting through Harris County and City of Seabrook, construction administration, and as-built deliverables
Pythias Solar Interconnection (138 kV to 34.5 kV): Renewable energy tie-in design and permitting; drainage district and county approvals; bid and construction support for a 100 MW solar integration
Missouri City Substation (138 kV): Urban low-profile design, platting, utility relocation, civil plan approvals, and landscape compliance
Julia Generation (345 kV): Generation-tie substation civil design, road use agreements, wet-bottom detention pond, permitting, and bid package preparation
Freeman (Bromine) Substation (138 kV to 34.5 kV): TxDOT driveway and hydraulic permits, floodplain modeling, plat exemption, and multi-agency drainage approvals
Speedway and Savannah Substations (345 kV): Renewable interconnect stations, platting/LONO processes, environmental coordination, and drainage district approvals
Japhet Substation Upgrade (138 kV): Full rebuild in dense urban setting, SWQMP permitting, public/private plan approvals, and construction support
We are a trusted partner to major utilities such as CenterPoint Energy, AEP, and CPS Energy, bringing integrated civil, structural, electrical, and environmental expertise to every project. Our team streamlines permitting across state, county, and municipal agencies while delivering designs that strengthen grid resilience through improved redundancy, load capacity, and storm hardening.
SUBSTATION EXPERIENCE
The Seabrook Substation is a new 138 kilovolt (kV) facility in Seabrook designed to improve capacity, reliability, and storm resilience for the growing Seabrook/Kemah area. Featuring redundant feeds, low-noise transformers, and a landscaped enclosure, it enhances grid stability while minimizing community impacts. Our firm provided civil design, permitting, and construction support, helping keep the project on schedule and compliant with local regulations.
The Pythias Substation is a 138/34.5 kV facility connecting the 125-megawatt (MW) Second Division Solar farm to CenterPoint Energy's grid, delivering approximately 100 MW of clean energy and o setting more than 155,000 tons of CO2 annually. Its breaker-and-a-half design and SCADA controls ensure reliable solar integration and local grid stability. Our firm handled civil design, permitting, construction support, and commissioning to keep the project compliant and on schedule.
The Missouri City Substation is a new 138 kV facility replacing an aging substation to improve reliability, redundancy, and capacity for Missouri City and parts of Fort Bend County, with modern transformers, automated breakers, and a double-feed design that minimizes outages. Our firm managed entitlements, permitting, civil site design, grading, drainage, and utility coordination, ensuring compliance with city and county requirements while addressing community and aesthetic concerns. Construction scheduled to begin in late 2025, and the substation will support future load growth and safer, more resilient operations once fully operational in 2026.
The Pleak Substation is a new 138/34.5 kV facility near Richmond providing additional capacity and reliability to serve growing residential and commercial areas in Fort Bend County. Our firm handled civil design, grading, drainage, utility coordination, permitting, and construction support, ensuring compliance with county requirements and smooth integration with local infrastructure. Energized in November 2024, the substation now strengthens the local grid, reducing outages and improving operational flexibility for CenterPoint Energy.
SUBSTATION EXPERIENCE
The Bromine Substation is a new 138/34.5 kV facility in Waller County, built to serve a high-demand industrial customer while strengthening the local distribution network and improving voltage stability along the US 290 corridor. Our firm managed civil and structural design, floodplain and TxDOT permitting, access and drainage planning, and coordination with stakeholders to ensure all approvals were secured for construction. Construction support included design reviews, contractor guidance, and punchlist close-out, keeping the project on track for energization and reliable service to both the industrial load and surrounding area.
The Speedway Substation
MW Cradle Solar project and its battery storage to CenterPoint Energy's high-voltage network, improving grid reliability and supporting regional renewable energy goals. Our firm provided civil engineering, site layout, drainage design, access road planning, and multi-agency permitting coordination, ensuring the substation design accommodated evolving site conditions and adjacent developments. By managing ongoing design updates, environmental compliance, and regulatory approvals, we positioned the Speedway Substation for successful construction and future operation as a key hub for renewable integration and transmission resilience.
The Savannah Substation is a planned 345 kV facility in Brazoria County, designed to connect the 254 MW Cascade Solar project and enhance local grid reliability. We are managing civil design, stormwater planning, environmental coordination, and multi-agency permitting to minimize impacts and meet regulatory requirements. Our team is ensuring the project is ready for construction and successful integration of renewable energy into the high-voltage network.
The Japhet Substation upgrade in East Houston modernizes a 138 kV facility with new transformers, switchgear, and storm-resilient infrastructure to support industrial and commercial loads. The project included design, permitting, and construction support, meeting all city and regulatory requirements. The upgrade improves capacity, reliability, and resilience, supporting future growth and electrification in the Port of Houston area.
The Julia Generation Substation is a planned 345 kV facility in Wharton County that will connect the 254 MW Maleza Solar project and battery storage to the ERCOT grid, providing clean energy for over 40,000 homes while enhancing regional grid stability. Our firm handled site civil design, grading, drainage, access road improvements, and foundation coordination, as well as navigating complex county permitting, road-use agreements, and environmental approvals. We also prepared bid packages and are supporting construction administration and close-out, keeping the project on track for energization and renewable integration.
TRANSMISSION LINE EXPERIENCE
DCCM provides integrated solutions for transmission line projects, combining survey, subsurface utility engineering (SUE), lidar, right-of-way (ROW), and PLS-CADD engineering capabilities. Our experience spans support for both CenterPoint Energy and CPS Energy, with proven results in relocation, clearance analysis, utility conflict resolution, and engineering-grade deliverables.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY TRANSMISSION SUE PROJECTS
PROJECT
Cascade Solar Loop
Bellaire Bay Relocation
Rebuild General to Bringhurst
Ulrich Tap 24B-1 Rebuild
kV
kV
kV
kV
Skains Substation Loop – Hollow Branch Creek Generator Lead 138 kV (generator interconnect loop)
Circuit 85B-1 Rebuild
Missouri City Sub
Rebuild 138kV Ckt 35E-1
Jeanetta to Westwood
Rebuild Kirby to Bellaire Ckt 40A-1
Clute to Biport Rebuild
NERC Remediation – Ckt 94B
Rebuild 138kV Ckt 05D
Ethyl Sub Loop
Mill Creek Substation 138kV Loop
Webster to La Marque Rebuild
NERC Remediation – Ckt 83A
345kV Oasis to WA Parish Rebuild
345kV Oasis – Meadow Rebuild
Biport to Camden Rebuild
kV
kV
kV
kV
CPS ENERGY TRANSMISSION SURVEY AND LIDAR PROJECTS
LONGHORN LIDAR SURVEY (SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS)
– Scope: 2-mile transmission corridor survey for TxDOT pole relocation
Services: UAV lidar, ground survey control, orthorectified imagery
–
Deliverables: Classified point cloud, ortho imagery, PLS-CADD model (15 towers)
– Outcome: Supported CPS Energy transmission relocation design with accurate clearance and terrain modeling
– Balance-of-Plant: Stormwater, grading, drainage, access roads, trenching, and duct banks
HOWARD AND IH 35 NEX
– Scope: Transmission line relocation surveys along IH 35 expansion corridor
– Services: Topographic survey, lidar mapping, ROW verification
– Deliverables: Topographic survey data, transmission line clearance checks, PLS-CADD analysis
– Outcome: Provided CPS Energy with engineeringgrade datasets for relocation planning, ROW support, and design coordination
PLS-CADD EXPERIENCE
DCCM has extensive experience using PLS-CADD to support transmission line projects. Our engineers leverage lidar, survey, and design inputs to perform detailed analysis, modeling, and design checks for both new and relocated transmission corridors. Our PLSCADD expertise includes:
– Sag and tension analysis
– Conductor blowout and clearance checks
– Electromagnetic field evaluation
– Galloping and aeolian vibration analysis
– Structure spotting and line optimization
– Clearance verification to National Electrical Safety Code/utility standards
– Terrain modeling with lidar integration
Line rating and thermal loading studies
Foundation load calculations
As-built model validation and documentation
