A major electric transmission project proposed by Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC and the Lower Colorado River Authority Transmission Services Corporation (LCRA TSC) could bring significant changes to San Saba County's landscape.
The project—a new 765 kilovolt (kV) high-voltage transmission line, one of the largest of its kind ever proposed in Texas—would span from Bell County in Central Texas to Schleicher County in West Texas. That path cuts across parts of San Saba, putting local ranches, homesteads, and natural habitats in the spotlight as planners evaluate potential routes.
A New Backbone for the Texas Grid
The transmission line would connect an expanded Oncor switch station near Temple to a new LCRA substation near the existing Big Hill Substation northeast of Eldorado. Oncor will handle the eastern segment of the line, while LCRA TSC takes on the western portion. Their goal: improve grid reliability, relieve congestion, and meet growing statewide electricity demand— needs underscored by recent ERCOT concerns and weather related power stress events.
San Saba is one of 14 counties identified as possibly affected by the project. Others include Mason, Schleicher, Tom Green, Menard, Concho, McCulloch, Llano, Burnet, Lampasas, Coryell, Bell, Milam, and Williamson.
What It Means for San Saba
If San Saba County ends up along the selected route, the impact could be tangible. Towers would be installed across private and public lands. Rights-of-way may be required. Though exact routes haven’t been determined, and not all proposed lines will be used, portions of San Saba County are among the areas under review by project engineers.
For ranchers and property owners, that raises familiar questions: What will the line look like? How close will it come? What rights do landowners have in the process?
Those questions will be front and center at a series of upcoming public open house meetings, where residents from affected counties can view detailed maps, talk with engineers and utility representatives, and make their voices heard before final routes are proposed.
Roxana Rubio, Oncor's Sr. Media Relations Specialist, told the News by email on Monday that "the public meeting is...an important part of the regulatory process that helps us gather information and feedback on the proposed preliminary routes, engage directly with the public and receive the feedback of potentially affected landowners that could result in modifications to these preliminary routes." In short, the best opportunity for San Saba landowners to protect their property and influence the final power line route is to attend a meeting and make their voices heard.
Oncor and LCRA TSC are inviting residents to one of three “come-and-go” open house meetings scheduled across the project area.
• Monday, June 16, 2025 – Salado
Salado ISD Meadows Room
601 N. Main Street, Salado, Texas
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Tuesday, June 17, 2025 – Lampasas
Old Middle School Cafeteria
208 E. Avenue B (Entrance on Western Ave.)
Lampasas, Texas 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, June 18, 2025 – Menard
Menard County Community Center
303 Travis Street, Menard, Texas
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
No route has been finalized, and public comments could directly influence which path the utilities ultimately submit to the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) for approval. At that time, 'affected landowners will be notified of their opportunity to get involved with the review process before the Commission makes a decision on which route is selected and constructed,' added Rubio.
But don’t wait for the PUC to send a letter—by that point, your options may be limited. If there’s any chance the line could cross your land, speak up now while changes can still be made.
Those unable to attend the meetings can still get involved by contacting these representatives:
• Jeremy McConnell (Oncor) (214) 486-5216, transmissionprojects@oncor.com
• Kelly Wells (LCRA TSC) (512) 578-1445, BCBH@LCRA.org More details, route maps, and updates will be available after June 18th at www.lcra.org/BCBH and www.oncor.com/transmissionprojects.