GRAY COUNTY, TEXAS -- The project to build transmission lines to carry energy downstate might be slowing down a bit. Monday, commissioners in Gray County voted to enact something called an "NEFA", which will force an environmental impact study to be done before work on the lines can begin. Commissioners said this will slow the process down, and hopefully force the Public Utilities Commission to the table to talk with the county about concerns they have with the route of the lines.
The route chosen by the PUC takes the lines through the Lesser Prairie Chicken habitat. One commissioner said that would automatically trigger the Endangered Species Act, and would have a negative impact on Gray county and many other counties across the U.S.
The commission said it does support the lines, but would like to see the transmission lines route changed.
