Texas landowners rally at Capitol, urge Abbott to call special session on transmission lines
Landowners say the 180-day approval window is too short and warn the lines would cross tens of thousands of acres of private property.
- On Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, Texans rallied at the Texas Capitol before a House State Affairs committee hearing on 765-kV transmission lines and data centers, with grassroots protesters wearing yellow to symbolize opposition to the infrastructure project.
- Landowners have long questioned the 180-day administrative window regulators have to approve transmission lines, arguing insufficient time exists for public contest of proposals affecting private property.
- Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, signaled support for repealing data center tax exemptions costing the state $1.3 billion annually. CEO Pablo Vegas oversees an ERCOT audit of roughly 250 projects, roughly 90% of the facility queue.
- Representatives from Oncor, AEP, and CPS Energy warned that delaying the project could disrupt construction schedules and increase equipment costs. Adrian Rodriguez, president of AEP Texas, cautioned that losing their procurement slot could result in higher expenses.
- Legislators are considering potential regulations for the data center industry ahead of the 2027 session, while the Public Utility Commission has not yet made a final decision on the transmission project, leaving local oversight questions unresolved.
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The Gilmer Mirror
MyParisTexasResidents and industry leaders at odds over transmission lines at legislative hearing
By Paul Cobler, Carlos Nogueras Ramos and Emily Foxhall, The Texas Tribune August 19, 2026 Flashes of yellow were all around the Texas Capitol grounds on Wednesday as legislators gathered to consider two of the most controversial issues in Texas politics: data centers and transmission lines. The color — displayed on bandanas, pins, shirts and…
Texas landowners rally at Capitol, urge Abbott to call special session on transmission lines
Dozens of Texas landowners gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday, calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to convene a special legislative session to stop proposed 765-kilovolt transmission lines they say would impact private property across the state.
Texas House takes up data centers, controversial electric transmission line project ahead of January session
Members of the Texas House of Representatives are trying to clear the air over data centers and controversial plans for new power lines issues that have been impacting some of our Central Texas neighbors for months.The House is again taking questions about data centers and a proposed 765-kilovolt transmission line project, after months of public hearings. The transmission line project would install a series of towers more than 100 feet tall, sta…
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