SALADO, TX – Hundreds of Central Texas property owners are demanding a halt to a massive transmission line project, claiming utilities revised the route to include their land without giving them a fair chance to object.
The Conflict Over The Bell County Project
At the center of the dispute is the proposed 765-kV Bell County East-to-Big Hill transmission project. The high-voltage line is part of a massive state grid expansion designed to support growing electricity demand in the Permian Basin.
However, local landowners filed a motion with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), stating that route alterations quietly pulled their properties into the project area after public meetings had already concluded.
Over 1,300 Property Owners Denied A Voice
According to filings, utilities including Oncor and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) modified the route sections later in the process. Landowners argue this move stripped newly impacted residents of their right to weigh in on the development.
“Over 1,300 directly affected property owners were denied the essential right to attend a public meeting where they could voice their concerns,” landowners stated in their official motion.
John Burrow, a landowner from Salado, expressed frustration over the legal mismatch: “I was notified of this project after the application was already filed… I’ve been forced to navigate a complex legal process without any legal representation, while large utilities move forward.”
Political Backing And High Financial Stakes
The grassroots pushback has gained significant political momentum. State Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Salado), along with 42 other Texas lawmakers, filed an amicus brief supporting the property rights group American Stewards of Liberty, urging regulators to delay any final decisions.
While PUCT staff and ERCOT studies support the 765-kV lines as a necessary investment for Texas grid reliability and preventing mass outages, opponents argue the massive buildout could cost Texas ratepayers billions of dollars.
