The context: Texas senators recently debated a $33B plan for new high-voltage lines across the Lone Star State, which would include over 2.4K miles of 765-kV lines (marking one of the country’s biggest grid expansions). The goal? Send power from East Texas to the capacity-strapped West, where oil & gas industry growth is contributing to booming demand.
The supporters: Fossil fuel producers want more electrons headed their way—ASAP.
The critics: Residents (including country singer Tanya Tucker) highlighted how some planned lines would cut through communities and natural areas. Plus, some opponents of the Texas renewable buildout argue that the new lines could incentivize more wind and solar generation by carrying the power farther.
And out East, ISO-NE is eyeing a transmission upgrade that would send more of Maine’s wind power to demand-heavy regions of southern New England, where energy bills continue to rise.
Molly Glick
Energy Central Team
Sun, Aug 2
NEWS: West Texas needs more gigawatts. Is high-voltage transmission the fix?
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