Texas Legislators Urge PUC to Delay Vote on 765-kV Transmission Facilities

AUSTIN – A group of 43 state lawmakers represented by the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) have submitted an amicus brief supporting a motion by American Stewards for Liberty requesting the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) to delay its vote on the first segment of the proposed Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan (STEP).

The brief cites research from TPPF’s Life:Powered initiative which demonstrates that there are cost-effective alternatives to building these new transmission lines. TPPF notes that the 765-kV STEP would impose nearly $100 billion in lifetime costs on Texas ratepayers and result in irreversible property losses for thousands of landowners across the state.

“The PUC and ERCOT still have the opportunity to consider alternatives to these costly 765-kV projects,” said Brent Bennett, Ph.D., Policy Director of TPPF’s Life:Powered initiative. “Texas can ensure better grid reliability by expanding local gas generation and transmission, rather than increased reliance on transporting electricity across the state to manage the problems associated with overbuilding wind and solar.”

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