Texas 765 kV Transmission Lines: What Landowners Need to Know About the Statewide Expansion

Texas is entering a new phase of infrastructure development. Across the state, a network of 765 kV transmission lines is being planned and constructed to support energy demand, industrial expansion, and population growth.

For landowners, these projects are not just lines on a map. They represent potential impacts to property rights, land value, and long term use.

Understanding what is being built and where is the first step in protecting your land.

What Is the 765 kV Transmission Expansion?

Moving toward 765 kV transmission lines is part of a statewide initiative led by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to strengthen the power grid and move electricity more efficiently across long distances. As part of the Permian Basin Reliability Plan and Statewide Transmission Expansion Plan (STEP), the PUC has selected the 765 kV to address future reliability and congestion needs.

The Major 765 kV Projects in Texas

Unlike smaller transmission lines, 765 kV lines:

• Require significantly wider easements
• Span long distances across multiple counties
• Often cross rural and agricultural land

While the system is evolving, several key projects form the backbone of this expansion:

• Oncor Longshore to Drill Hole

  • A West Texas project designed to strengthen transmission within the Permian Basin.
  • Affected Counties: Andrews, Culberson, Ector, Glasscock, Howard, Loving, Martin, Midland, Reeves, and Winkler
  • Project Page
  • View Map
  • Current Status: Waiting for Proposal For Decision from Administrative Law Judges, which gives their recommendation for the route

• Oncor / LCRA Big Hill to Sand Lake

  • A West Texas transmission project connecting the Big Hill Substation to the Sand Lake Switch, designed to support growing power demand in the Permian Basin.
  • Affected Counties: Crane, Crockett, Ector, Irion, Pecos, Reagan, Reeves, Schleicher, Tom Green, Upton, and Ward
  • Project Page
  • View Map
  • Current Status: Waiting for Proposal For Decision from Administrative Law Judges, which gives their recommendation for the route

• Oncor Dinosaur to Longshore

  • A long range connector linking North and Central Texas to West Texas infrastructure.
  • Affected Counties: Borden, Bosque, Brown, Callahan, Coke, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Glasscock, Hamilton, Hood, Howard, Jones, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Shackelford, Somervell, Stephens, Sterling, and Taylor
  • Project Page
  • View Map
  • Current Status: Hearing on the Merits May 4 – May 8, 2026

• AEP / CPS Howard to Solstice

  • A major west to south corridor connecting the Permian Basin to the San Antonio region.
  • Affected Counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Crockett, Edwards, Kerr, Kinney, Medin, Pecos, Real, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, and Val Verde
  • Project Page
  • Project Fact Sheet & Map
  • Current Status: Hearing on the Merits May 19 – May 22, 2026

• Oncor / LCRA Bell County East to Big Hill

  • A Central Texas project that has drawn significant landowner attention.
  • Affected Counties: Bell, Burnet, Concho, Coryell, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Milam, Mills, San Saba, Schleicher, Tom Green, and Williamson 
  • Project Page
  • View Map
  • Current Status: Hearing on the Merits June 8 – June 12, 2026

Where Things Stand Right Now

Many of these projects are currently in the routing and approval phase through the Public Utility Commission of Texas. This is one of the most important stages for landowners. Once routes are finalized, the process shifts toward acquisition and potential condemnation. Knowing where projects are and how they progress is critical, but knowing how to respond is what ultimately protects your land.

The scale of this expansion is unlike anything Texas landowners have seen in decades.

Why This Matters for Landowners

These projects are not optional infrastructure. They are tied to public utility planning and will move forward through regulatory approval.

That means after the PUC has selected a route:

• Surveyors may request access to your property
• Routes may cross privately owned land
• Easements may be acquired through negotiation or condemnation

At Braun & Gresham, attorneys Patrick L. Reznik and Carly Barton are your trusted legal advocates for you and your land.