The People vs. Big Electricity
Two important public meetings are planned in the near future regarding several proposed 765kV electric transmission lines that would transit a large portion of Central and West Texas.
According to an update from Dave Clark with Friends of the San Saba River (FOSS), an informational hearing before the Public Utility Commission on policy issues is slated for 9:30 a.m. Aug. 14 in Austin.
According to a meeting memorandum to PUC commissioners, Chairman Thomas J. Gleeson clarified that no final decisions will be made during the meeting, which will be broadcast live on the PUC’s website.
“Landowners do not need to attend the PUC meeting,” Clark said, “But they must show up in force at the House State Affairs Committee Hearing and deliver the same excellent testimony.”
The House hearing is slated for 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, before the House State Affairs Committee.
More than 200 Texas landowners testified before the Senate Business and Commerce Committee during a hearing July 29, which ran all day and well into the evening, as each landowner took a couple of minutes to explain the impact the proposed power lines would have on their property and their families.
Following the Senate hearing July 29, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Chairman Schwertner issued statements “…calling on the PUC to deny all the pending applications for 765kV transmission lines, and not consider reapplications until the transmission companies can address the serious concerns raised by landowners at the hearing,” and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the House State Affairs Committee would hold a hearing “…to help ensure Texans have a meaningful voice in the planning of this project.”
According to Clark, landowner shouldn’t rely on their testimony before the Senate committee to influence members of the Texas House.
“The Representatives on the Committee want to hear directly from regulators, transmission companies and related trade groups, and landowners,” Clark said.
