Metcalf: Texas prepares for its first 765-kilovolt transmission lines

Dear Friends,

Although the Texas Legislature meets in regular session every other year, our work does not stop when the gavel falls at the conclusion of those regular legislative sessions. We are currently in the legislative interim, one of the most important periods in the legislative process. The interim allows legislators to return home, listen to the people we represent, and begin preparing for the next legislative session. I have been meeting with constituents, local leaders, business owners, industry experts, advocacy organizations, and fellow elected officials to identify challenges and begin developing solutions long before we begin our next legislative session and when bills are filed.

Committee work also continues throughout the interim. Legislative committees hold hearings to study issues assigned by House and Senate leadership, hear expert testimony, evaluate the effectiveness of laws passed during the previous session, and determine where additional legislative action may be needed. Much of the agenda for the 90th Legislature is being shaped through this process right now. As a member of the House Committee on State Affairs, we have remained extremely busy through this interim period. We are directly involved in examining some of the most consequential issues facing Texas, such as ensuring the reliability, affordability, and resiliency of our electric grid.

Texas is growing at an unprecedented pace. Our state remains the nation’s leader in economic development, but that continued success requires a modern electric system capable of supporting new residents, businesses, and industries. Since the years following World War II, Texas has relied heavily on 345-kilovolt transmission lines. We are now preparing to take a major step forward with the development of our state’s first 765-kilovolt transmission lines. The best way to understand this transition is to compare it to the evolution of our highway system. As communities grow, crowded farm-to-market roads can no longer handle the volume of traffic. Modern highways are needed to move more people over greater distances safely and efficiently. In much the same way, 765 kV transmission lines will allow substantially more electricity to travel longer distances with greater efficiency while helping reduce congestion on the grid.

This infrastructure will be significant. The towers may stand approximately 180 feet tall, be spaced roughly 1,200 feet apart, and require rights of way of approximately 200 feet. That means construction must be approached thoughtfully, with careful consideration given to property owners, communities, reliability needs, and the long-term interests of our state. There’s much more to discuss on this topic, and I anticipate these issues will be front and center during the upcoming legislative session. I look forward to continuing the conversation and keeping you all updated as we work to ensure Texas remains at the forefront of energy innovation and reliability.

I am proud to serve on the State Affairs Committee, which has already met multiple times to examine these issues. We are working now to develop recommendations for the 90th Legislature to consider when we return to Austin next January.

There is much more work ahead. Grid modernization, energy affordability, water availability, private property rights, and more will all be front and center during the next legislative session. I look forward to continuing these conversations and keeping you informed as we work to ensure Texas remains the nation’s leader in energy, innovation, and economic opportunity.

As always, it is an honor to serve as your state representative. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can ever be of assistance.

May God bless you, your family, and the great state of Texas.