By Kayleen Holder
CPS Energy submitted the following answers to questions we asked regarding the Howard-Solstice Transmission Line Project. The project is a proposed 370-mile high-voltage line stretching from San Antonio to Fort Stockton, crossing up to 14 Texas counties, including Medina and Atascosa Counties”
Will ya’ll be using eminent domain, or will it be along the roadway?
We need to acquire new easements to safely construct, operate, and maintain the new lines. We negotiate with land owners to purchase the necessary easement, and will only use eminent domain as a last resort.
Does it involve Medina County or Atascosa County and to what extent?
CPS Energy and AEP Texas are evaluating multiple geographically diverse transmission line options for the project, which includes Medina and Atascosa counties. The PUCT will ultimately select the transmission line option that will be used. At the moment, there is no selected route, only preliminary segments at this time.
What is the driving factor behind this new transmission line?
The project is proposed ERCOT’s forecast of rapidly growing energy demand in the Permian Basin.
To learn more about the transmission project, visit cpsenergy.com/infrastructure. Please visit our public displays athttps://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Infrastructure/howard-solstice/Open_House_Displays_ADA_72425.pdf
If ya’ll move forward with this project, at what point, would affected landowners be notified?
In February 2026, CPS Energy and AEP Texas plan to submit an application to the PUCT and will notify affected landowners at that time of the application submitted. Once the PUCT approves this project and selects the final Transmission line route (around August 2026), we will once again notify affected landowners of their decision.
- How are these lines different from existing transmission lines? As in are they really bigger than others we currently have?
The 765 kV transmission lines are only slightly taller than our typical existing 345 kV transmission lines. However, they are wider to maintain safe clearance between the phase conductors. The big difference is the ability 765 kV lines have to transmit higher amounts of power, and do so with less (power) loss than a 345 kV transmission line. Essentially, there is an efficiency gain by using a higher voltage. A typical 765 kV transmission circuit can transmit the same amount of power as approximately six single 345 kV transmission circuits. From this perspective, a single 765 kV line will occupy much less overall space than running the equivalent six 345 kV circuits in parallel with one another. - How large is each structure supporting transmission lines approximately?
The typical tower height will range between 140 and 160 feet. The base of the self-supporting lattice structures will be about 45 feet wide. For the guyed structures, the guy wires will be attached to the ground about 60 feet from the center of the structure.
The typical span length (between structures) will range between 1,250-1,400 feet….structures may be closer or further apart to account for terrain or other constraints.
- How many miles would the line be in Medina County and Atascosa County and where can I see a detailed map?
The length of the transmission line in each county will be dependent on the route that the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) selects and won’t be known until the final route is approved.
The preliminary study area map showing all segments and counties. Direct link to the map is here: https://www.cpsenergy.com/content/dam/corporate/en/Documents/Infrastructure/howard-solstice/Howard_Solstice_Study_Area_Map_ADA_71625.pdf