Despite thousands of citizen protests, the Public Utility Commission of Texas has approved the final route for 400 miles of 765kV transmission lines to deliver electricity through Erath County to the Permian Basin.
Baring future legal challenges, it is the last administrative hurdle before the ground can be broken on the billion-dollar project.
Friday, Aug. 28, the five-panel PUC commission unanimously voted to accept the Proposal for Decision for docket 59315. The route selected is route 559 in the PFD, with Oncor being directed by the PUC to work with landowners.
Numerous residents and representatives spoke against the project at Friday’s meeting including Erath–Somervell Subregional Planning Commission (ESSRPC) Chapter 391 members.
“A broken process has allowed a bad plan with generational consequences to move forward today with a unanimous vote by the PUC. We must do better for Texans,” Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee said after Friday’s vote. “I am heartbroken for the landowners who have done everything right and spent time and treasure defending their property, only to face this outcome. We are regrouping and looking at what we can do next to support the citizens of Erath County, and we will be there to the end to help navigate this process while holding Oncor accountable to the requirements in the order. I’m sorry we didn’t get the outcome we hoped for today, but I’m still proud of the effort put forward by so many people in this county and beyond.” During the process, numerous Texas lawmakers have called on the state’s electric grid managers and utility regulators to halt the project until the legislature had the chance to weigh in on the project. Fourtythree representatives and numerous senators have voiced their opposition through letters and comments.
The 765 kV transmission line project started as a result of the Permian Basin Reliability Plan, passed in 2023 with a transmission project designed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
The transmission lines are being built to carry electricity from East to West Texas and satisfy demands of the oil and gas industry.
If built, they will be the largest transmission lines ever constructed in Texas. The project is estimated to cost about $33 billion, a cost that ratepayers will foot. Half of all Texas counties will be affected by the project if it moves forward.
Committee hearings in both the Texas House and Senate afforded some affected by the proposed project the chance to speak, but not all.
Ongoing concerns have been voiced including how the transmission lines would harm property, natural resources and wildlife. Some testified Oncor did not give them enough time to contest applications which the commission’s administrative court agreed with. Other landowners stated they did not receive notification at all.
During the July 29 Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, Chairman Charles Schwerner called for a complete denial of the proposed project. Senator Sparks and Lt. Gov. Patrick have also voiced opposition as has Representative Shelby Slawson.
Early Friday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an amicus brief supporting American Liberty Stewards, a national landowner group, in their legal challenges against Oncor, AEP Texas and CPS Energy.
“Both sections (of the law) mandate the Commission to develop a reliability plan to implement, but nowhere in the plain language of the statute are 765KV lines mentioned,” Paxton said in his brief. “Without that express mandate, the Commission should pause to allow the Legislature time to evaluate the benefits and risks of these massive transmission lines. While the potential benefit of such lines may be significant, so is the risk of damage to privately owned lands and natural resources and the Legislature has not yet had the ability to balance those interests.”
In the county and the area, steps are being discussed on what is next.
“We are working through what’s next, there are a few ideas. My goal is to hold Oncor accountable to treating landowners fairly and with respect and I want to document anytime that is not done and take it to the PUC,” Huckabee said, about the Chapter 391 Commission.
Opposition organizers Joanna Friebele and Emily Howle are continuing their work with the help of additional volunteers and county leaders.
“We all need to continue having our voices heard with the Legislators and Governor Abbott. We need to encourage them to acknowledge our problem and offer them solutions. If we don’t continue to advocate, this will happen again,” Howle said. “We encourage you not to engage in any agreements with Oncor without exploring all educational opportunities.”
Friebele said she expected Oncor to quickly move forward to talking to landowners about easements.
A meeting has been set with Nic Laurent, an attorney from Austin who specializes in working with landowners and their rights. The public meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Annex III, located at 222 College Street in Stephenville.
This is an informational meeting for those who are affected by the latest PUC decision.
(Portions of this article’s information were provided by the Texas Tribune).