Area leaders are urging AEP-Texas to run a 765-kilovolt extra-high-voltage transmission line into the Rio Grande Valley. The company plans to upgrade its current 138-kilovolt line to help support growth in Cameron County, according to the story. A project plan said AEP is also proposing a 765-kV loop with two separate paths that include the Valley, along with 345-kV upgrades.
AEP plans to hold open house meetings next week to update residents on the project to rebuild the 138-kV line across 44.5 miles. The Brownsville meeting is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Texas Southmost College's Jacob Brown Auditorium. The San Benito meeting is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the cafeteria at Veterans Memorial Academy. Officials said they will show the structures, the width of the easements and the line route.
According to the project plan, the towers would rise about 85 to 100 feet and be spaced 400 to 600 feet apart, with rights-of-way of about 100 feet. AEP's external affairs manager, Hill Cocke, said the upgrades are needed because of growth in the area. Orlando Campos, chief executive officer of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, said in a statement, "Let's face it — our region is booming."