Bell County East to Big Hill 765kV Transmission Line Hearing on Merits
With the State Office of Administrative Hearing Judges in deliberation about their decision on the Bell County East to Big Hill 765-KV transmission line, I wanted to share my direct testimony. My testimony was filed in May and is part of the record from last week's Hearing.
We have a wonderful County and it is a privilege to fight alongside our Commissioners for it's preservation.
I. INTRODUCTION
Q. Please State Your Name.
A. Jody Fauley
Q. Are You The Elected County Judge Of San Saba County?
A. Yes.
Q. What Is Your Role And Responsibilities As County Judge?
A. Presiding Officer in Commissioner’s Court, Chief Budgeting Officer, Head of Emergency Management, Judicial duties including Criminal, Probate and Guardianship, as well as administrative duties.
Q. What Is The Role And Responsibilities Of The Commissioners Court?
A. Policy-making authority, county infrastructure, county financial management, and county administration.
Q. On Who’s Behalf Are You Testifying Today?
A. I am testifying as the County Judge and on behalf of San Saba County.
Q. Can You Describe San Saba County For Us?
A. I could go on for days talking about San Saba County in all its wonder, but briefly the County sits ninety miles northwest of Austin, San Saba County is more than 1,100 square miles of the most beautiful land in the state of Texas. Bordered by the Colorado River on the North and East boundaries of the County with the San Saba River snaking throughout the interior. San Saba County is not only beautiful, but due to its variety of terrain and soil, it is home to an abundance of wildlife, farmland, ranch land, and unadulterated land dating back centuries. It is home to pecan orchards, exotic animals and expansive areas of archeological evidence of the Native Americans who called San Saba County home for years. There are also numerous local businesses throughout our County that serve our citizens as well as the many tourists that visit.
Q. What About The People And Landowners Of San Saba County?
A. Like talking about the County, I could go on forever about the wonderful people of San Saba County. Due to its strong roots as a farm and ranch community, San Saba is home to the very people who make Texas great. Hard working, honest, caretakers and custodians of the land and the wildlife. The kind of great neighbors who set aside their own time and agenda to help their community survive and rebuild after the July 4th and 13th, 2025 floods. Many of the residences of San Saba County have been in the same family lineage for generations, living on the very land their ancestors preserved for them.
II. CONCERNS AND IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE
Q. Are You Aware Of The Proposed 765kV Transmission Line Project Going Through San Saba County?
A. Yes.
Q. Do You Have Concerns Regarding The Proposed Line Being Constructed Through San Saba County?
A. Yes.
Q. What Are Some Of Those Concerns?
A. There are many concerns, but I would say they center around environmental concerns, and community value concerns.
Q. What Are Some Of The Environmental Concerns?
A. Environmental concerns include destruction of land that has been unaltered for centuries thereby damaging the future use of the property by the landowners and resulting in displacement of wildlife. While I am aware that studies to the effects of electromagnetic fields is a developing field, there should be serious consideration made as to EMF impacts on the health of the citizens, wildlife and ranch livestock.
Q. You Mentioned The Terrible Flood San Saba County Experienced In July Of 2025, Is There Concern Of A Greater Risk Of Flooding As A Result Of Constructing The Proposed Transmission Line?
A. As a citizen of San Saba County and as the Head of Emergency Management safety of those in my county is a serious concern, one what literally keeps me up at night. That includes the concern of flooding, and while the July 4th and 13th floods will go down in history, San Saba County is no stranger to flooding. Given that we are in the Hill Country and our County is bordered by the Colorado River, traversed by the San Saba River, and blessed with numerous streams and creeks, flooding is always a real concern. It is no secret that by removing vegetation and creating a 200 foot right of ways across the County there could be an increased risk of flooding, and great care should be taken to avoid the increased risk.
Q. What About Any Increased Risk Of Fire Due To The Construction And Presence Of A 765KV Transmission Line Across San Saba County?
A. Fires are a very big concern. Like flooding, we have been hit with devastating fires in San Saba County. The risk of fires spreading in Hill Country and causing catastrophic damage is always present. Fires can spread rapidly and given the terrain and vegetation it is very difficult to combat them. So, I do have a great deal of concern of an increase in the risk during the construction phase of such a large project. I also have the concern of the increased fire risk posed by the addition of the large transmission line crossing through San Saba County.
Q. You Also Mentioned Community Values, What Do You Mean By The Impact On Community Values?
A. I am concerned about the negative impact to the community values including monetary values. Loss of property value not only by the directly impacted landowners that could have the line constructed on their property, but all of the County who will be impacted by the largest ever built transmission line and towers traversing across the County. Any impact to ranching, risks of harm to health, including livestock, exotic animals, reduction of guided hunts, etc… will be felt throughout the County. This loss will carry over further to the community’s tourism having a detrimental impact on our local shops and restaurants.
Q. Has Your Court Met With San Saba County Landowners Regarding The Transmission Line Project?
A. Yes.
Q. Without Going Into The Actual Discussions, What Was Your Overall Impression Of The Community Members You Have Meet With?
A. Complete and total opposition. So many years of care and maintenance to preserve this beautiful, unaltered land would be destroyed by the creation of these massive towers across our County.
Q. As A County Commissioners Court, Have You All Taken A Specific Stand In Support Of Certain Routes Going Through San Saba County?
A. No.
Q. Why Not?
A. We believe that any transmission line route throughout San Saba County destroys the very fiber of what makes this County so amazing. It destroys history, wildlife preserves, rich agricultural land and the opportunity for future generations to observe, enjoy and benefit from unaltered and unadulterated land, as well as impacting our communities that rely on the land for their livelihood and the tourism that it brings. San Saba County opposes all proposed routes through the County.
III. CONCLUSION
Q. Is There Anything Else You Would Like To Add?
A. It is a privilege to represent San Saba County and despite my stated and sincere opposition, I do respect the difficult job before the PUC. My request is that a project of this significance be given more time to be studied and to determine the best options available. Whether it's building more generators closer to where it is needed, or slowing down the process to allow our citizens to adequately participate and not feel hopeless in the process, let's take the time needed to consider if the permanent damage to so much of the land that is the beauty of Texas is actually necessary. I believe there is a better way to meet the electrical demands of the future of Texas without destroying what makes Texas great. If there is anyone who can find the right answer to this tough question, it is Texans working together.
To see the update on this Hearing on Merits from the Friends of the San Saba (FOSS), see Update from Friends of the San Saba (FOSS)