At the writing of this answer (Oct 2025), the initial planning phase is well underway, and the public information meetings have been held. At some point in November, December, or even possibly January, Oncor and LCRA will apply for an amendment to their Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) with the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) for a preferred route, and a reasonable amount of alternative routes. At that point, Oncor and LCRA provide notice of filing to the public and affected land owners (those with property that the line goes through, and/or those with a livable structure within 500 feet of the center line of the project), and the public has 30 days to file an intervention. A contested CCN (which this will be) process lasts 180 days, during which the "affected public" is involved in a judicial process for an Administrative Law Judge to present a proposed final order to the PUC board. Then the board of 5 Governor-appointed PUC members can grant a whole/partial CCN, or they can deny the application  - this is estimated to happen in the summer of 2026. An approval can be appealed, but assuming any appeals are unsuccessful, surveying, acquisitions, and permitting begin (ie eminent domain process), and construction begins. Construction is expected to be complete by the summer of 2030.

Graphic - Guide to Licensing Process for New Transmission Facilities

Lone Star Land Protection - Detailed explanation of process

- Safety concerns for residents, including increased risk of childhood leukemia, cardiovascular stress/disease, miscarriage, and more (see details in next question)

- Safety concerns for wildlife, including the federally protected Bald Eagle

- Disruption of delicate ecosystems

- Destruction of sites with historical value, including many indian artifacts 

- Eminent domain settlements and/or condemnation of multiple legacy ranches, dating back to the late 1800's

- Ruination of the tremendous aesthetic value of the Texas Hill Country

- Fire risks in an area suffering from severe to exceptional droughts

- Further increase in the number of Burnet residents affected by transmission corridors that bring little to no direct benefit to the area

Many studies show that there are many safety concerns living near these lines. 

• The lines' corona effect is very noisy, which can cause a number of health-related issues (especially cardiovascular).
• Arcing from a 765kV transmission line is a high-voltage discharge of electricity across an air gap, often caused by events like lightning strikes or proximity to conductive objects. Here is an arc demo at a much lower power done by Oncor. At these extreme voltages, the electric field can ionize the air, creating a conductive path for the current to jump, a phenomenon also known as flashover. This can also be a severe fire hazard (see next point).
• Poor maintenance and drought conditions near these lines can create serious fire hazards. Burnet County has experienced severe to exceptional droughts at many points during 19 of the past 25 years.
• A 2005 British Medical Journal (BMJ) study by Draper et al. found a statistically significant association between childhood leukemia and proximity to high-voltage power lines, even at distances not typically linked to known magnetic field levels. While this only establishes a possible correlation, and not causation - are you willing to risk it?
• The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Institutes of Health put out this guide in 2002, which reviews the (possibly inconclusive) correlation between negative health effects and EMF exposure.
• This 2017 study concluded that the researchers "found an almost three-fold increased risk of miscarriage if a pregnant woman was exposed to higher MF levels compared to women with lower MF exposure."
• This 2007 study found evidence that their "results raise the possibility that prolonged residence close to high-voltage power lines, especially early in life, may increase the risk of the development of MPD and LPD later."
• The EPA recommends "prudent avoidance" for those concerned about potential health effects from high-voltage EMFs, a policy largely driven by ongoing public concern rather than conclusive scientific proof of a direct health risk. 
• This study shows a negative effect from electrical fields from high-voltage transmission lines on cognitive, biological, and anatomical changes in male monkeys. The study states "the results of biological tests and MRI showed an elevated risk of immunodeficiency disorders, weakness, and behavioral disorders." Results were visible within 30 days.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

Participants were given a packet of information about the line, and given a form to communicate their concerns. Both are linked below.

Bell County East to Big Hill Meeting Material

Questionnaire

This line will be roughly 215-240 miles long, 200-300 feet wide (larger than a 16 lane highway), and could affect up to 15 counties across Texas.

Yes and no. The graphic provided by Oncor did not inlude the total height, but most 765kV lines are between 130'-190' tall - the equivalent of a 15+ story building. For reference, an average neighborhood power line is 12'-22' tall. 

The width of the top of these structures will be roughly 142', which could fit a 10 lane highway with a median in the middle. This will require 200'-300' wide easements (220' is the size of a 16 lane highway with a median), all of which will be subject to vegetation maintenance.

The graphic is on page 10 of this document.

There are currently no transmission lines of this magnitude in the state of Texas. The largest current line in Texas is less than half this magnitude.

As of now, we all have the same rights, which is to voice our opposition to the line, and send relevant and helpful reasons for our objections to the relevant parties.

Once the lines are chosen for the CCN amendment application, then your right are as stated by the PUC Rules and Laws -

Intervenors are people directly affected by a particular issue or action and are full and active participants in a proceeding at the PUCT. Intervenors can make legal arguments, conduct discovery, file testimony, cross-examine witnesses. If an intervenor testifies, they can be cross-examined by the other parties in the case. To become an intervenor, submit a written request explaining why you have a legal interest in the proceeding.Typically, intervention is granted only to directly affected landowners (those notified parties who are within 500 feet of the center line of the power line). However, any landowner may request to intervene and obtain a ruling on his or her specific fact situation and concerns.

Protestors can submit comments that are entered into the official record of the proceeding. These comments are publicly available and can be read by the PUCT commissioners, PUCT staff, and other people following the proceeding. These comments help inform the PUCT and its staff of the public concerns and to identify issues to be explored. The PUCT welcomes and encourages such participation in its proceedings.

There are many theories about the uses for these lines, but what seems concrete is that they will provide "necessary" power to the Permian Basin. The Permian Basin is well known for its role in the gas and oil industry, and more recently, commitments for new AI centers. There are no substations planned on this line for our area, so our residents are not able to directly benefit from this line. 

While the official deadline for filing concerns to affect the planning phase, and the preferred line chosen for the CCN amendment application, has passed, all letters/emails sent will still be received, and your opposition to the line can be voiced.

Please note - even though the deadline to file concerns in this phase has passed, there will be another opportunity to oppose this line after the application to amend the CCN is filed, and there is a docket number assigned. This will be a small window, and it is prudent to be prepared before the opportunity arises. 

With the help of the Edwards Plateau Alliance, we have compiled a helpful instruction sheet on how to file a concern. The relevant emails are listed in the instruction sheet. Below is also a link to the 4 page questionnaire given out by ONCOR that can be used as a reference for relevant information, as well. 

Email Instruction Sheet

Questionnaire

Absolutely. You can see existing transmission lines on this map.  The response given by Oncor and LCRA representatives to many land owners who have inquired as to why these routes are not being utilized is something to the effect of attempting to avoid the possibility of if there is a disaster, like a tornado, it may take down both lines, rather than just one. So, while there is no substation in the Burnet area, that could share any of the transmitted power with our residents, we are being forced to shoulder the burden of yet another line in our area.

Burnet County Commissioner Damon Beierle has been present at many community meetings, and the County has hired an Attorney. The Attorney will help the County draft a letter to state that they oppose the line, but they will not be filing any legal suits against the project. Commissioner Beierle explained that they intend to help citizens find what they need to advocate for their line. 

That's a big question. At this point, no CCN has been officially granted, however, this line (which is only part of the first wave of a much, much larger plan) has overwhelming support from the state and national legistlators, ERCOT, PUC, LCRA, and Oncor. It will take almost every Texan coming together to stop this train. So while it is possible, it is a massive undertaking!

This is a very personal decision, but please consider these facts, before you decide:

- Even in the event that the utilities offer generous compensation, this is a permanent easement that will make your land harder to sell, harder to finance (for those that would want to buy it), undesirable for those who would want to develop the land, and less attractive for any future generations that might inherit the land.

- In a study of over 5,400 vacant lots in South Carolina, properties directly adjacent to high-voltage power lines lost an average of 45% in value. 

- Land owners can negotiate for damages, full market value loss, access control, legal costs, appraisal fees, survey expenses, and ongoing access restrictions and environmental restoration. It is suggested to consult with an experienced attorney concerning these negotiations.

- This easement will be a lifelong liability on your land, and could be the reason your land sells for less, or doesn't sell at all.