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This story is supported by the Pulitzer Center and is part of the “Texas Energy Crossroads” project, a partnership between The Hill and Nexstar Texas stations examining the oil and gas industry and the politics surrounding it following President Trump’s second inauguration.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following a grueling 15-hour hearing at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, state senators and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick are calling for the Public Utility Commission of Texas to deny current 765-kilovolt transmission line applications.
“Hour after hour, witness after witness testified they did not have adequate notice and have no idea where the lines are going because of constant route changes,” said Lt. Gov. Patrick on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Kevin Kennedy, a Burnet County landowner affected by a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line route, speaks with attendees outside a Texas Senate Committee on Business and Commerce hearing at the Texas Capitol in Austin on July 29, 2026. (Eric Henrikson/KXAN)
While Patrick said the transmission lines are needed to meet growing energy demands, he argued the current process comes at the expense of private property rights.
“The testimony made it abundantly clear the current process being utilized by the PUC for proposing and approving transmission lines is broken and must be reformed,” he continued.
In a Friday press release, Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows said an interim hearing will be held August 19 on the proposed 765kV transmission lines. Burrows released the following statement:
“The Texas House remains committed to policies that support the responsible planning and development of our rapidly growing state. Next month, the House Committee on State Affairs will hold an interim hearing on the proposed 765kV transmission lines to help ensure Texans have a meaningful voice in the planning of this project. I want to thank Chairman Ken King for his leadership and his work with members of the committee and stakeholders on this important matter.”
Why Texas leaders want the applications denied
State Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, who chairs the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, published a letter that called for the PUC to deny existing applications.
“Any reapplications need to take into consideration the concerns raised during our hearing,” he said in the statement.
Sen. Schwertner highlighted concerns including the lack of proper notice from the utilities, short timelines for the PUC’s proceedings and due process from the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
Schwertner seeks overhaul of CCN application process
Senator Charles Schwertner’s statement on the 765kV transmission line project.
Sen. Schwertner said the Legislature will reform the application process in the next session “to ensure future projects are fair and transparent”.
The Lt. Governor backed this statement in his post on X.
“During the 90th Legislative Session beginning in January 2027, the Texas Senate will prioritize addressing this issue,” he said.
Neither Schwertner nor Patrick can direct the utility to stop construction permanently.
What the proposed 765-kV transmission network would do
On July 29, the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce hosted a special hearing to discuss the state grid and discuss a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line network tied to the Permian Basin Reliability Plan, approved by ERCOT and the PUC as part of long-term planning to move power from West Texas and support growing demand across the state.
Lawmakers said testimony from landowners would help inform potential changes to the transmission line approval process, including notification requirements and opportunities for public participation.
The project has drawn significant opposition from landowners, who argue the nearly 200-foot-tall transmission line structures could impact homes, ranches and family properties.
“From the concerns we’ve heard and will hear today, the testimony is essential on how we are informed to improve the process to ensure landowners are properly notified afforded due process and participate in decision-making,” said Sen. Schwertner, R-District 5, at the start of the Wednesday hearing.
Landowners argue the process has been rushed.
What happens next for the transmission line applications
Under state law, the Public Utility Commission has 180 days from the initial filing to complete the transmission line approval process.
Oncor and LCRA, another utility provider involved in the project, argue they studied dozens of route options to reduce impacts to homes, landowners and environmentally sensitive areas.
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