Source reporting: Texas Scorecard
Texas utility regulators moved forward with part of a major extra-high-voltage transmission project despite requests from state officials and affected landowners to wait for the Legislature, according to Texas Scorecard.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas approved a proposal for decision, with modifications, involving the Dinosaur-to-Longshore segment of Oncor's planned 765-kilovolt system. That segment is part of a larger route expected to run about 390 miles from near Glen Rose toward the Culberson-Reeves county area. The broader STEP Permian plan calls for three lines totaling more than 1,200 miles to move electricity toward West Texas.
The approval followed a dispute over public notice. Administrative law judges found that Oncor failed to notify more than 1,600 affected landowners about a public meeting. Commission Chairman Thomas Gleeson disagreed with that legal conclusion, while also directing the utility to engage landowners more meaningfully and avoid dividing properties where possible.
Lawmakers from both chambers, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a coalition of landowner advocates and Attorney General Ken Paxton had called for pending 765-kV applications to be paused. Paxton filed a brief supporting a delay so lawmakers could review the approval framework during the 2027 legislative session. The commission proceeded with the first decision and heard arguments on another segment without taking final action on it.
The project also raises property-rights questions because electric utilities can seek easements and, when negotiations fail, pursue condemnation under Texas law. Oncor told Texas Scorecard it would consider reasonable route changes while meeting engineering, reliability and safety requirements.
Supporters argue the Permian Basin needs additional reliable transmission capacity, pointing to substantial unmet demand. Critics question the scale, timing and cost. Texas Scorecard reported that the Texas Public Policy Foundation estimates nearly $100 billion in lifetime costs for all STEP projects approved by ERCOT through December 2025.
The decision matters beyond one route. It places utility reliability, customer costs, eminent-domain authority and public participation in the same regulatory proceeding. Legislative review in 2027 could determine whether future projects require different notice, routing or approval safeguards.