Hello, True Texans!
Next week we have an important opportunity to speak out about an issue that should concern everyone in Texas. Please plan to take action as you are able:
July 29, Senate Business and Finance Committee – Assessing the State of the Texas Electric Grid, and Managing the Impacts of 765kv Transmission Lines on Private Property
Most Texans are anxious about the reliability of the electric grid, and the newly proposed 765kv transmission lines are of great concern due to private property rights, environmental safety for people and animals, higher electricity rates for all ratepayers, and the long-term effect of these lines. There are also questions about the Public Utility Commission’s rushed timelines that do not give adequate time for public input.
Background on 765kv
In 2023, the legislature passed HB2023 which was intended to expand electric services in the Permian Basin, where oil & gas development and other industries’ demand are outpacing supply. But ERCOT and the PUCT have now expanded that into a plan that uses these extremely high-powered transmission lines to bring power all the way from East Texas to far West Texas. (Towers that are 14 stories high, carrying 765 THOUSAND volts of electricity)
American Stewards of Liberty has produced numerous articles and studies on the potential dangers of these high-powered lines, as well as the property rights issues involved. Land is being taken up by eminent domain, and no compensation provided for damage to adjacent land. Land owners in the path of the power lines have been given very little time to provide public input because ERCOT is rushing the process.
Some state lawmakers have asked for a pause in the project so that alternative solutions can be examined, and the efficacy of the proposed lines can be verified (or not).
For more information on the issue, Texas Scorecard has written multiple articles about the 765kv lines. Take a moment to check them out.
On July 29, the Senate Business and Commerce Committee will take public and private testimony on the 765kv power lines. This is a golden opportunity for citizens to weigh in on this issue. Several groups will be at the Capitol coordinating testimony, including American Stewards of Liberty, and Ratepayers First Texas. Ratepayers First has a helpful web page with instructions and details for attending the hearing. They will also be set up in the legislative conference center (1 floor below) all day to help and advise.
ACTION ITEMS
- Attend the hearing and give testimony: July 29, starting at 9:00 am, Room E1-012. Register to speak at the computer kiosk outside the meeting room. The earlier you register, the earlier you will get called when public testimony begins. It will probably be an all day and into the night situation. This is particularly important if you are a land owner that is affected by the position of the proposed lines, but it’s an issue that will affect everyone who pays electric bills. Tell how this issue will affect YOU, your family, or your business.
- If you are not able to attend, send emails to the Committee Members. Click here for a list of Committee Members. Use their state email address [email protected]. Example: [email protected]. See the Schedule Display for a description of the agenda items. Public testimony is limited to 2 minutes.
- Also send comments to the Committee Clerk, [email protected]
- You can also send messages to the Public Utility Commission of Texas. There are 5 Commissioners. PUCT is the group that makes rules and oversees these expansion line. Click here for the Commissioners’ names. Email them using the state email address [email protected]. (Example: [email protected])
These Interim Hearings are important opportunities for the Committee members to hear not only from the experts and professionals, but hear from the citizens on how these decisions affect our everyday life. There’s no particular legislation to consider at Interim Hearings, but the information gathered often affects how laws are implemented, and how new legislation for the following session is crafted. Please speak up and voice your concerns!
Thanks for staying engaged!
Fran Rhodes, President
True Texas Project