A new weapon has been added in the fight against the 765KV transmission powerline project, though the melee is far from over.
At the Monday, June 23 meeting of the Erath-Somervell Subregional Planning Commission (Chapter 391), State Representatives were present to add to the conversation, provide information and encourage those engaged in the fight against the project. More than 100 people attended the meeting at the Erath County Courthouse.
Preliminary routes for the five-stage process totaling hundreds of miles across Texas have been identified, and the Public Utility Commission is set to identify the final route in mid-August. The Dinosaur-Longneck portion of the transmission line, which will affect both Erath and Somervell counties, is part of the largest powerline to ever be built in Texas. There are no other 765 KV transmission lines in the state.
In attendance at the meeting was State Representative Shelby Slawson (District 59), State Representative Helen Kerwin (District 58), Ross Tullis, a representative from State Representative David Cook’s (District 96) office, along with Vicky Hoggette, a Somervell County landowner, County Judge Brandon Huckabee, Somervell County Commissioner Chip Joslin, Erath County landowner Joanna Friebele, Stephenville Mayor Lonn Reisman and Stephenville City Councilmember Gerald Cook. Representatives from American Stewards of Liberty and local grassroots organizers were also in attendance.
However, Rep. Slawson spoke to a couple of new developments on the project including both a study from the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) and an amicus brief signed by 43 Texas legislators. There are also multiple other legislators who said they were in support but did not have a chance to sign.
In the TPPF Life:Powered research paper, it was found that the ERCOT’s 765kv Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan or STEP does not meaningfully reduce the need for new generation and does not reduce prices for consumers.
“The STEP is built on the assumption that Texas will continue to overbuild wind and solar generation far from demand centers, necessitating long-distance lines to move that power around. The lines can be mostly avoided with properly sited gas generation and local transmission upgrades, especially in West Texas,” said Life:Powered Policy Director Brent Bennett said in the report.
“The STEP is unnecessary. Other plans exist that can increase the supply of reliable generation, reduce the cost to consumers, and lessen the impact of new infrastructure projects,” said Life: Powered Campaign Director Carson Clayton. “Policymakers should pause implementation of the plan and consider alternatives to minimize the cost and impact.”
In the amicus brief which Rep. Slawson and Rep. Cook both signed, support was given for a motion filed by the American Stewards of Liberty requesting that the PUC postpone the determination of the need for proposed 765KV transmission lines until the commission completes a more thorough review.
It has been pointed out time and time again that adequate notification, according to citizens, has not been given throughout this process.
“This entire process has been about silencing the people,” Joslin said, referring to public meetings scheduled past capacity level so citizens could not get inside.
“The legislature needs to look at how this process is done. There needs to be some legislative changes,” the judge said.
It has been noted that the project has expanded beyond its original scope which came from House Bill 5066 passed in 2023 after Winter Storm Uri effected the Texas power grid. A statewide transmission plan has not been authorized by the Texas Legislature, according to Rep. Slawson.
Data centers were also not part of the conversation when the 2023 bill was passed, and are complicating matters where Texas power is concerned.
However, Judge Huckabee applauded citizens work in regards to the project and making the effort to get their voices heard.
“It happened because of the people in this room and the state using their voices,” he said.
“I don’t want to delay the line, I want to stop the line,” Rep. Kerwin said.
Rep. Slawson said that forever the top two issues addressed by the Texas Legislature because of constituents have been the border and property taxes.
“Now it’s data centers and property taxes,” she said, followed closely still by property tax relief.
Though not directly tied to the transmission line project, Gov. Greg Abbott put in place new legislative priorities for data centers including the need for them to generate their own power supply.
Rep. Slawson said she would love to see a similar set of priorities issued by the Governor in regards to transmission lines.
“Oncor and the state are feeling the heat,” Huckabee said.
Questions from the audience were accepted and many asked how to get the PUC to table the project until the legislation has had the opportunity to address the transmission line project. Those interested in watching the meeting and discussion can do so by going to Erath County’s YouTube page to view the video.
Many questioned why powerlines were being built to aid one of the most oil and gas rich areas of the entire nation instead of new natural gas plants being built to aid the Permian Basin.
“I’ve lived in Midland enough to know there isn’t anyone out there,” a citizen said. “Except the oil wells which produce gas that can be used for gas plants. Why the need for these huge lines to carry electricity from the east part of the state to the west part of the state— unless I’m missing something?”
A Somervell citizen spoke about the need to use caution in regards to fast tracking permits for gas generation.
“We are fourth generation on our land, and we’ve said no to massive quantities of money for our acreage. But what happens when our neighbors say yes?” she said.
Erath County resident Lance Trinque addressed petitions being signed and 343 signatures being thrown out by Oncor lawyers as hearsay, but judges were able to see them.
“I guess one more thing I would like to say is Governor Abbott is saying Texas is going to be the AI capital of the world. I think he should have asked Texans what we want to be,” Trinque said.