06/08/2026
As you may be aware, the City of Burnet, Burnet County, and the City of Marble Falls have completed the formal formation process necessary to establish the Highland Lakes Sub-Regional Planning Commission under Chapter 391 of the Texas Local Government Code. The Commission was created to help the participating local governments work together on regional issues that may affect land use, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, and the long-term character of our communities.
More importantly, the Commission provides a way for our local governments to speak with a unified voice as outside entities consider major infrastructure projects in Burnet County. These may include transmission lines, battery storage facilities, and other projects that could affect residents, private property, natural resources, and quality of life. While some projects may be necessary to support growth and regional infrastructure needs, local concerns should be heard, and potential impacts should be fully considered before decisions are made.
One of the first matters addressed by the Commission is the proposed Bell County East – Big Hill 765 kV transmission line project. To help guide that discussion, the Commission has developed a transmission line siting policy that identifies local priorities and concerns. The policy is available on the Commission’s website at: https://www.highlandlakes391.com/resources.
At a high level, the policy encourages transmission line routes to be evaluated in a way that protects public health and safety, limits impacts to homes and neighborhoods, preserves private property and agricultural operations where possible, avoids unnecessary impacts to parks, historic areas, natural resources, and scenic corridors, and supports responsible long-term growth. The policy also encourages the use of existing transmission line paths, easements, roads, highways, railroads, and other compatible rights-of-way to the greatest extent practicable in order to minimize impacts to affected communities and landowners. The policy does not select a specific route, but it does establish principles the Commission believes should be considered before any final route is determined.
As part of this effort, the Commission has sent initial letters to Oncor Electric, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Texas Historical Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, whose input may be important to the review of this proposed project.
The next step will be to hold coordination meetings with these entities. During those meetings, the Commission will request documentation and written responses showing how local concerns are being considered as the route is evaluated and finalized. These coordination meetings will be open to the public, and residents will have the opportunity to attend and stay informed as the process moves forward.
The goal is simple: to make sure our communities are heard, our concerns are taken seriously, and decisions regarding the placement of the proposed transmission line are made with a full understanding of the potential local impacts.
