As a 5th generation steward of a San Saba County ranch that may be impacted by the proposed ONCOR/LCRA765kv transmission lines, I was dismayed to read in your April 22 story, 'Hot Topic Draws Record Crowd in Courthouse 3rd floor courtroom,' that it is '...important to understand that these transmission lines WILL BE built, land WILL BE condemned for the construction and easements ...' That is certainly what will happen if enough rate-paying Texans do not put incredible pressure on our elected officials to kill the project. But this battle has barely been joined, let alone finally decided, and when Texas voters learn that they will be stuck with the $33 billion bill (current ONCOR/ LCRAestimate, which means it'll be a whole lot more) to destroy thousands of miles of this beautiful state with transmission lines 20 stories tall, all to carry power to the Permian Basin (the most energy rich area in the USA, and perhaps the whole world) for the primary benefit of AI data centers ('Big Tech'), they are going to be MAD. And in fact, Lieutenant Governor Patrick recently directed the Senate Business and Commerce Committee to revisit this issue. Thank you to the News and Star for helping to get the word out, and I encourage all San Saba County residents to press our elected officials to stop this ridiculous boondoggle that is being forced upon us by Austin.
Daniel G. Rauh The Gibbons Ranch Richland Springs