Last summer, LCRA and Oncor announced several proposed routes for a massive 765-kilovolt transmission line stretching over 200 miles across central and west Texas. Two of the routes would cross southern McCulloch County, with a third route running through Mason County and into Menard County.
The purpose of the proposed 765kV line is to help meet the projected surge in demand for electricity in West Texas from oil, gas and industrial development.
However, those initial proposed routes were not especially well received by residents across the area. Residents were especially concerned about a potential negative impact on the San Saba River ecosystem. The San Saba River is considered one of the few pristine rivers remaining in Texas. Area citizens were also concerned about private property rights and the impact of the project on the local economy.
In light of the initial citizen response, LCRA, Oncor and the Public Utility Commission agreed for them to consider alternatives that might be more agreeable to the public.
Those revised plans were announced last week.
Copies of the plans outlining possible routes for the 765kV line and maps showing the locations were provided to the County Judges in the affected counties, and the plans and maps were published in the local newspapers in each of those counties.
The detailed plans and maps can be viewed at the County Clerk’s offices in the Counties affected.
Residents and landowners can comment to the Public Utilities Commission, or file to formally intervene in the process. The deadline to submit a request for intervention is April 27th.
A final decision by the PUC on which route is selected is expected by September.
