Power Line Debate Continues
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Power Line Debate Continues
Residents of two Central Texas communities were in Austin Monday to make their case against the planned route for a major electric transmission line project that they say could threaten health, safety and growth. The hearings continue Tuesday.
Reporter: By Matt Felder
Email Address: matt.felder@kwtx.com
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(May 6, 2008)—Hearings resume Tuesday in Austin as residents in the path of Oncor's proposed route of high voltage power lines protest the plan.

Testimony began Monday in Austin in a battle to stop energy giant Oncor from building a major electric transmission line from San Antonio to Bell County.

Representatives and residents of communities from Salado to Round Rock gathered at the State Office of Administrative Hearings building Monday in Austin to argue against the route for the transmission line, which would be more than 200 feet high and 300 feet wide.

The proposed route would locate the lines along valuable property lines and developing subdivisions in both Salado and Hutto, residents say.

The residents are concerned property values would go down and that health, safety and community growth would be in jeopardy.

Residents along the proposed route have hired engineering firms that have come up with alternative routes, but residents say the proposals are not being taken seriously.

The hearings are scheduled to last all week.

The administrative law judge will then make a recommendation to the Public Utility Commission in about two months.

The commission will likely make a decision by late summer or early fall.

Click Here For PUC Web Site

Click Here For State Office Of Administrative Hearings Web Site

Latest Comments

Posted by: Kyle Mitchell Location: Hutto on May 18, 2008 at 06:48 PM

WEll,Jesse from Waco, You may not be apposed to the new lines, but would they be visable from your window?
Posted by: Staci Location: Salado on May 13, 2008 at 06:39 AM

What some of you don't know is the details that affect our concern. I think that one problem with the location is that they are actually proposing to run these power lines within a few hundred feet of homes despite there being hundreds of acres of open farmlands in the immediate vicinity. In fact, the route they have chosen seems almost deliberately inflammatory and unnecessary in its damage. Also, Salado is a small tourist community whose very survival depends on the rural undeveloped look. Salado will have no benefit at all from these power lines, they will only detract from the town economically and aesthetically.
Posted by: Lauren Location: Coolidge on May 6, 2008 at 09:36 AM

don`t do it mistake
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