Proposed 300-Mile Transmission Line Raises Alarm for Kinney County Landowners

A proposed high-voltage transmission line stretching more than 300 miles across Southwest Texas could affect portions of Kinney County, prompting renewed concern among landowners, conservation groups and county officials. The project, filed with state regulators earlier this month, is estimated to cost more than $2.1 billion and includes route options that could cross rural areas of the county, raising questions about property rights, environmental impacts and the long-term effect on the region’s landscape.

A proposed high-voltage transmission line stretching more than 300 miles across Southwest Texas is drawing renewed attention from Kinney County officials and residents after utility companies filed a formal application with state regulators earlier this month.

On March 2, AEP Texas and CPS Energy filed an application with the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) seeking a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) for the Howard–Solstice Transmission Line, a major infrastructure project estimated to cost more than $2.1 billion. The project would involve a 765-kilovolt transmission line supported by steel lattice towers typically 140 to 160 feet tall, with a right-of-way corridor of roughly 200 feet. Several potential route options have been proposed, including at least one route that crosses Kinney County.

The application identifies Alternative Route 4 as the preferred route among 77 route variations evaluated during the planning process. Concerns about the project have already been raised locally. In August 2025, the Kinney County Commissioners Court passed a resolution formally opposing the proposed routes through Kinney County. The resolution cited concerns from residents about potential impacts including declining property values, environmental damage, electromagnetic field exposure, and disruption of scenic landscapes. “Kinney County is dedicated to protecting its citizens’ interests and the region’s long-term economic health and quality of life,” the resolution stated, while calling for alternative routes that reduce risks and incorporate public input.

The issue resurfaced during the March 9 meeting of the Kinney County Commissioners Court, when County Judge John Paul Schuster reminded commissioners that a Chapter 391 regional planning commission had previously been created to address border security issues. Schuster noted that the commission could potentially be reinstated to help coordinate regional responses to the proposed transmission line project. Under Chapter 391 of the Texas Local Government Code, regional planning commissions allow counties and municipalities to collaborate on issues affecting multiple jurisdictions, including infrastructure development and regional planning. These commissions can also require state agencies to coordinate with them.

Public notice of the project has begun appearing locally. An 11-page notice outlining the proposed routes and application details ran in the March 5 edition of the Kinney County Post and is available online at KinneyCountyPost.com.

Conservation groups are also monitoring the proposal closely. In a recent press release, the Devils River Conservancy (DRC) said the application reflects significant stakeholder input gathered during the pre-filing process but emphasized that concerns remain. The organization has worked with landowners and conservation partners to protect the Devils River Basin and the Devils River Conservation Corridor, a region known for its pristine waters, wildlife habitat, and large private conservation easements. “From the beginning, our objective has been clear: protect the heart of the Devils River and the integrity of the conservation corridor,” said Romey Swanson, executive director of the Devils River Conservancy. DRC noted that while the preferred route avoids some of the most environmentally sensitive areas near the Devils River State Natural Area, several landowners remain affected by the proposed alignment.

The Public Utility Commission will make the final routing decision, and members of the public may submit comments or seek intervenor status in the case. Landowners directly affected by proposed routes have 30 days from the application filing to request intervenor status, which allows them to participate formally in the proceedings. The deadline is expected to fall around April 1. The Devils River Conservancy and the Hill Country Preservation Coalition will host a community meeting in Del Rio on March 18 to help residents understand the project and the state review process. The meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Texas Community Bank, 2411 Veterans Blvd. and will include information about the application, route alternatives, and how residents can participate in the regulatory process.