On July 29, city and county residents, officials, and landowners traveled to Austin for the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee hearing regarding the proposed 765kV transmission lines. Over 200 witnesses spent 15 hours waiting to give their two minutes of testimony against these disruptive routes. We all need to be educated and to get involved.
The current proposals threaten private property rights, with lines passing dangerously close to homes (within 30 feet of a back porch, over schools, barns, etc.), destroying heritage ranches, fences, and bypassing due process and proper notification for landowners.
However, there is hope. On July 31st, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and state senators are calling on the Public Utility Commission to deny these applications. I hope the PUC will comply with this “call” even though it is not a law, we can pray.
On a bright note, testimony from tech experts showcased cleaner, decentralized alternatives— like fractal computing— that could replace massive, antiquated, water and electricity guzzling, hyperscale data centers entirely, making these destructive transmission lines unnecessary. These mini servers’sites could be placed in existing schools, hospitals, libraries closets or unused class rooms as a mesh network structure where the provider fees would go to state entities to help lower property taxes. Also, according to an electrical engineer, high voltage DC current can be buried all provide long distance transmission. There are options.
Sincerely, Sheila Hemphill Brady, TX