Commissioner balks at group’s push for power-line route east of Lake Buchanan
BURNET — A group that supports putting a high-voltage line east of Lake Buchanan told county leaders Tuesday they oppose running the line north of the lake, a proposal favored by Commissioners Court.
The group, which agrees with a recommendation by a state administrative law judge, said the northern route could harm the environment and prove more costly.
At least one commissioner during the court’s meeting said he’d rather not see any new power lines at all around the lake.
“It would be my preference not to have a route through Burnet County at all,” Precinct 1 County Commissioner Bill Neve said.
However, two days before state officials plan to consider the issue, Neve reiterated his reluctant support for the route north of Lake Buchanan.
As part of a project to transfer wind-generated power from West Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority plans to build a new electrical transmission power line from Gillespie County to Kempner in Lampasas County along a route that may extend along either the east or north side of Lake Buchanan.
On behalf of a group called Point Peak Mountain Resort (including several northern Burnet County residents who live near the Goodrich Ranch), Austin attorney Edward Burbach told the commissioners his clients support the proposed eastern route.
“The only way to choose another route is to ignore the law,” Burbach said.
“You have to follow objective rules.”
Because it would run on existing right of way, the eastern route may cost less to build and create fewer environmental difficulties than the northern route, Burbach added.
In addition, the eastern route may interfere with only one habitable structure in Burnet County, which is a mobile trailer used as a business office located near an existing transmission line, Burbach said.
On the other hand, a power line that stretches west from Gillespie County and runs north of the lake may cross through miles of pristine land and harm native habitat in Llano County, Burbach said.
Neve argued the northern line is best because it might cause fewer concerns for residents.
In addition, any new power line may harm the environment and raise safety concerns for several county inhabitants, Neve added.
State Administrative Law Judge Wendy Harvel recently recommended construction of the line east of Lake Buchanan.
“I cannot support that,” Neve said.
The Texas Public Utilities Commission will consider the controversial power lines during a meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday in Austin at the William B. Travis Building, 1701 N. Congress Ave.
A chartered bus will bring residents to the hearing. Boarding begins at 9 a.m. at the Galloway-Hammond Recreation Center, 1601 S. Water St. in Burnet, which is also U.S. 281, organizers have said.
PUC is expected to make a final decision April 26.