Proposed Power Line Over Lake Livingston Sparks Local Opposition
Residents and officials are pushing back against Entergy Texas’s plan to build a 500-kV transmission line—part of the SETEX reliability project—potentially crossing Lake? Livingston, a critical reservoir providing drinking water to Houston. Critics raise three main concerns:
- Environmental Safety: Lake Livingston is already contaminated with toxins like dioxins and PCBs in its sediment. Construction could disturb pollutants and risk water safety
- Public Health: The City of Houston, which depends on 70% of its drinking water from the lake, was not initially consulted and now formally opposes any lake crossing routes
- Property & Community Impact: Local ranchers report that towers and lines could harm livestock operations, hiking trails, and even block emergency access
Entergy submitted its route plans to the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUCT) in February 2025. Public feedback is underway, with a final route expected by August 2025
How This Relates to Your Property
- Water Source Risk: Infrastructure over bodies of water—or through sensitive zones—can compromise local drinking water and land usability.
- Property Value and Access: Transmission lines carry visual, environmental, and emergency access implications that may reduce neighborhood appeal or value.
- Long-Term Obsolescence: Even if your property isn’t directly in the path, nearby industrial-scale infrastructure can influence regional perception and desirability.
Our platform tracks infrastructure projects and eminent domain threats like these—so homeowners can anticipate changes, make informed decisions, and protect their investments before project paths are finalized.
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