CPS/AEP High Voltage Power Transmission Line Project
Talking points memo
Version A- 8.14.2025

Talking Points for Presentations and Community Conversations

 

Facts/background:

•    • The Howard-Solstice 765Kv transmission line project has mapped potential routes for over 300 miles of large transmission lines requiring large easements which cross through much of Real, Edwards, and Uvalde county, along with several other counties in South and West Texas.
•    • This is one of three major transmission line projects slated to deliver large amounts of power to the Permian Basin area, to meet growing demands of oil and gas development and data centers.
•    • This transmission project is a result of a law passed in 2023 which outlined the terms for the “Permian Basin Reliability Plan” to improve power capacity to that area of the state.
•    • These are among the first transmission towers of this size and capacity ever to be installed in Texas.
•    • There is no indicated benefit to our residents by this transmission line, and the power coming over the lines will not be available to our local electrical substations.  Our localized grid will not be improved by these lines. 
•    • CPS and AEP will turn in their recommendations for where they feel the route should go, and then the  Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), a board appointed by Governor Greg Abbott, will select and give the final approval of the transmission route, with construction to begin in mid to late 2028.
•    • Landowners with property within 500 feet of one of the proposed route segments should have received an information packet, but all residents of our area will be affected by the installation of these power lines.
  
  
• Call to Action Talking Points:
  There is a local coalition of residents mobilized to lead the effort in opposing Real, Edwards, and Uvalde counties as a potential route, and a larger regional coalition fighting the project in the larger western Hill Country area. 

•    • The reasons for opposition to this project include:
•    • local property values being negatively affected by these enormous lines carving up our canyons;
•    • our area being a part of the crucial migratory routes for birds and butterflies transversing North and South America;
•    • our economy’s dependence on tourism which includes summer tourists and hunters in all times of the year;
•    • our pristine river stream segments, among some of the last in Texas;
•    • our dark skies, which could be marred by lighting on these towers, depending on aerial assets and localized airport runways along the route. 

 

The natural beauty in this area deserves to be preserved, and these lines should be run in other areas where easements are already established, along highway corridors that are already cleared for power lines, and in areas where fewer people will be affected by them, or where the landscape is not as beautiful, native, or critical. 

 

Our wildlife, river basins, and waterways are the assets of our community, and we deserve to protect them from corporate encroachment and government overreach.

 

All citizens are encouraged to complete a questionnaire to let CPS and AEP know how we feel about this project.  Questionnaires about how these lines can affect you, your family, and/or your livelihood and property values are available now for completion by September 3.  Stop by your local library in Camp Wood or Frio Canyon chamber of commerce office in Leakey for a copy, and for assistance in completing the questionnaire. 

 

Questionnaires will be available in many local businesses as well.  Questionnaires can be emailed or mailed, but must be returned by September 3. 

 

If you can not afford postage, you can leave your questionnaire at one of the local libraries, and postage will be provided by our citizen group. 
You do not have to own land in order to complete a questionnaire, a questionnaire can be completed for each person in your family, and on behalf of your business as well. 

 

Every citizen will be affected if this project comes to our county.

 

For questions, additional information, to get links to the questionnaire or project, or to be added to the list for updates and alerts related to this project, reach out to me for more information:  972-948-6671. agriffininrealcounty@gmail.com.

 

Click here to download the Questionnaire Help Sheet or Project Comment Card

 

Click here to download the Questionnaire - Please fill it out and mail it by September 3.

 

Here is a Map and more details.