Burnet County to form transmission line opposition committee
Burnet County Judge Bryan Wilson (right) explains how a county committee could help coordinate efforts opposing a state transmission line project that would cut through the northern half of Burnet County. Precinct 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle (left) pitched the idea for the committee, as his precinct stands to be the most impacted by the project. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
The Burnet County Commissioners Court is in the midst of forming a committee of elected officials, county employees, and residents to address rising concerns about a state transmission line project that would cut through Burnet County.
While the committee and its exact meeting times and structure have not yet been finalized, the Commissioners Court openly discussed and settled on its formation during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The stated goal of the group would be to coordinate county and community efforts opposing the Bell County East to Big Hill 765-kV Transmission Project, which threatens to throw up massive towers and powerlines across northern Burnet County and much of Central Texas.
The project would see about 200 miles of power lines run from Bell County to Schleicher County in West Texas in an effort to bring a reliable source of electricity to the Permian Basin region. While the exact route for the line has not yet been determined, all possible routes would go through Burnet County. According to plans for the project, a 15-story tower would be built roughly every 1,000 feet along the selected route to suspend the highest-voltage lines ever used in Texas.
The formation of the opposition committee is consistent with the court’s stated position on the project, as it previously passed an official resolution, in October, opposing the line.
“We want to strategize how Burnet County can protect Burnet County the best,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle said during the meeting.
Beierle put forth the idea of forming the committee. He represents Precinct 2, which stands to be impacted most by the transmission line project.
The court plans on selecting a venue for committee meetings, live streaming the meetings, and creating a charter specifying its directives. An exact time and place were not decided upon at Tuesday’s meeting, but they hope to announce more information in the coming week.
Burnet County Judge Bryan Wilson also stepped up for the discussion. The judge had recused himself from all discussions concerning the transmission line since they began because he lives on property that could potentially be impacted by one of the proposed routes.
“From now on, the only time I will recuse myself is when any of the actions affect the G4 line or if I have any kind of documented interest,” he told the court. “Other than that, I will stay engaged on behalf of Burnet county.”
According to Beierle, one main function of the committee could be directing coordinated communication efforts toward elected officials like state representatives and senators.
“I think it is going to take us all working together, just sending letters and more of a unified approach and not doing it in public comments every two weeks,” he said.
To Beierle’s point, one Burnet County resident, Beth Kunz, spoke during public comment on Tuesday, expressing her frustration with a lack of response from other elected officials.
“We’ve been on a writing campaign to all of our representatives and senators in this area,” she said, addressing the Commissioners Court on Tuesday. “No response. Zero. I would like to ask you to maybe help facilitate bringing them in or having meetings or having whatever kind of plan we can come up with together.”
Transmission line background
The Bell County East to Big HIll 765-kV Transmission Project has been on Burnet County’s radar since May. Since then, public opposition and protest has risen and the county has officially taken up opposition to the state project.
The transmission line project’s intention is to bring power to West Texas, but many Burnet County residents believe that it would be at the expense of Hill Country landowners.
Read the DailyTrib stories below to learn more:
- ”Massive transmission line would cut through Burnet County,” June 6, 2025
- ”Burnet County considers careful next steps in response to transmission line,” June 25, 2025
- “Burnet County seeks legal counsel for transmission line project,” July 10, 2025
- “Burnet County OKs funds for transmission line legal help,” July 22, 2025
- “Power line project protesters: Why here?,” Oct. 13, 2025
- “Questions raised, but few answered, at transmission line town hall,” Oct. 24, 2025
- “Burnet County takes official stance against transmission line,” Oct. 29, 2025
- “Oncor and LCRA update transmission line timeline,” Nov. 4, 2025
- “Llano County joins transmission line opposition,” Nov. 11, 2025
- “Transmission line opposition creates protest schedule and theme song ‘Two Hundred Miles of Greed’,” Nov. 24, 2025