County officials want a closer look at the Lower Colorado River Authority plan to extend a new electrical transmission line from Bell County to the west Texas Permian Basin area with the route through parts of Burnet County.
LCRA plans to coordinate the extension across more than 170 miles with the Oncor Electric Delivery Company, a private utility firm based in Dallas.
The new transmission line may traverse 12 counties, including Crane, Crockett, Ector, Irion, Pecos, Reagan, Reeves, Schleicher, Tom Green, Upton, Ward and Winkler counties.
LCRA is a public utility the Texas Legislature created more than 90 years ago. It oversees the Highland Lakes Watershed Ordinance, which affects Burnet County water management and supply.
The potential impact of the LCRA transmission extension on Burnet County is currently unclear.
“If I understand it correctly, it will be the largest transmission line (in Texas) by nearly double the regular size,” County Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle told The Highlander. “It comes with more rightof- way, and I have seen lots of articles about potential health risks.”
During the Burnet County commissioners meeting June 10, County Judge Bryan Wilson indicated the Texas Public Utility Commission approved the LCRA plan last month.
A “public participation meeting” is scheduled to discuss the transmission issue 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, in Lampasas at the Old Middle School cafeteria, 208 East Avenue B near 103 N. Western Avenue.
“I’ll be at the Tuesday meeting in Lampasas to learn more,” Beierle said. “I will share more details when I have them.”
Also, the commissioners may conduct a workshop to discuss the transmission matter during its June 24 meeting, in tandem with its regular session.
