Brown County Commissioners Oppose Proposed Oncor Transmission Line

Commissioners cite threats to health, safety, and property values in 4-0 vote against new 765kV power line

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Brown County Commissioners Court voted 4-0 to formally oppose a proposed 765kV transmission line by Oncor that would cross through the county. Commissioners cited concerns raised by local residents about the line's detrimental impact on wildlife, livestock, and property values, as well as a lack of engagement from Oncor on the project's details and potential impacts.

Why it matters

The proposed Oncor transmission line has become a contentious issue in Brown County, with local officials and residents voicing strong opposition to the project. The Commissioners' resolution signals their intent to protect the county's interests and pushback against what they view as an ill-conceived plan by the utility company.

The details

Oncor's proposed "Dinosaur-Longshore Transmission Line" would carry 765kV of electricity from a substation near Glen Rose to one near Forsan, a distance of around 250 miles. The utility says the new line is needed to address "surging demand in high growth areas" and improve grid reliability. However, local residents who spoke at the Commissioners' meeting argued the line would threaten the environment, property values, and public safety, with one speaker stating it "does not follow an existing utility corridor, but will create a new utility corridor" with "difficult if not impossible to quantify" detrimental impacts.

  • The Brown County Commissioners Court discussed the proposed Oncor transmission line at their meeting on February 9, 2026.
  • The Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a resolution formally opposing the transmission line project.

The players

Oncor

An electric utility company that has proposed building a new 765kV transmission line, called the "Dinosaur-Longshore Transmission Line", that would cross through Brown County, Texas.

Brown County Commissioners Court

The governing body of Brown County, Texas that voted 4-0 to approve a resolution opposing Oncor's proposed transmission line project.

Dennis McBeth

A resident from Runnels County who spoke at the Commissioners' meeting as the lead speaker for a group opposing the proposed transmission line.

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What they’re saying

“The detrimental impact on wildlife, livestock and humans is difficult if not impossible to quantify, but we do know that clearing a continuous 200-feet wide strip, with or without the presence of some kind of an electrical field, will affect the habitat. A massive powerline will not affect only the property that it is on but it will devalue nearby property.”

— Dennis McBeth, Runnels County resident

What’s next

The Public Utilities Commission of Texas will now consider Oncor's application for the proposed transmission line project, taking into account the Brown County Commissioners' formal opposition resolution.

The takeaway

The Brown County Commissioners' strong stance against Oncor's transmission line project underscores the local community's concerns about the potential negative impacts on the environment, property values, and public safety. This dispute highlights the tensions that can arise when major utility infrastructure projects are proposed without adequate engagement and consideration of local interests.