SOUTH AND WEST TEXAS · POWER / INFRASTRUCTURE
Archive item · Events of September 11, 2026
What happened: The Public Utility Commission of Texas approved the Howard–Solstice 765-kilovolt transmission line on September 11, the Texas Tribune’s Carlos Nogueras Ramos reported. The 370-mile line crosses 14 counties, including Uvalde, Kerr, Bexar and Medina, to carry power toward the Permian Basin.
Claim: Landowners said they had not had adequate time or process to respond to a project of this size.
Check: The record supports the timing concern: these cases run on a compressed statutory review. The commission also showed its own limits. Chair Thomas Gleeson said it was “premature” to act on two other proposals because the record did not show whether they met federal reliability standards or would save consumers money, and sent them back to administrative courts.
Concern: Ranchland and grassland damage, due process for affected owners and effects on the Devils River corridor. The Tribune reported only that the line will cost billions.
Outcome: Approved with conditions. The utilities must work with landowners to limit construction through grassland. AEP vice president Stephanie Houle told commissioners the company would “accept accountability.”
Location Decision takeaway
Fast approvals move large-load power to new industry, but a compressed record is also what leaves regulators unable to answer basic cost questions. Economic developers promising power should know which lines are approved and which are still proposals.
Original reporting: Carlos Nogueras Ramos, Texas Tribune, September 11, 2026.
About this item: Contested Ground items are sourced and written by AI from the credited reporting and public records linked above, following Location Decision’s editorial standards. We publish them to track disputes over what America builds and to inform Location Decision’s broader editorial analysis. They are not independent reporting by our staff.