ODESSA — The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Friday gave its approval to a controversial, 370-mile-long transmission line project, pending two transmission companies work with landowners to make modifications.
The Howard Solstice transmission line, as it is known, will transport electricity through South Texas to the oil and gas industry in the Permian Basin. The changes the commission seeks should reduce construction through grassland, the commission said.
The line will stretch across 14 counties, including Uvalde, Kerr, Bexar and Medina counties. The five-panel commissioners directed the two transmission companies to work with landowners to make further route modifications after residents expressed concerns that the lines would significantly damage their properties…