Irion County Commissioners Court May 12 2026
- May 12
- 2 min read
Agenda Analysis | Meeting Review | Meeting Documents | Commentary | Last Meeting
THIS MEETING WAS CANCELLED.
JUST RELEASED ON MAY 12: The ALJ’s Proposal for Decision in the first 765 kV case, Longshore Switch - Drillhole Switch, CCN 59029. Oncor wins. See Conclusion on page 49. Note: this is not the final decision.
A. Agenda Analysis
Presentation by Dan Byfield, item 4: Mr. Byfield is the CEO of American Stewards of Liberty, whose organization has offered to assist in the creation of a 391 to protest, local government to state government, against the 765 kV transmission lines. Note that the meeting is at 6:00 pm in the District Courtroom in the Irion Co. Courthouse.
Go here to the PUC website to read American Stewards of Liberty's Statement of Position in the 59182 case proposed through Irion County. And, here is their Initial Closing Argument. They are making some well reasoned arguments against the proposed project.
See also this letter from several legislators expressing doubts about the legislation approving the lines. There appears to be reason to form a 391 to voice a need for legislative reform once the next session starts in January.
B. Meeting Review
This meeting was canceled
C. Commentary
Status update on 765 kV case: The SOAH judge has not issued her ruling, a Proposal For Decision in the case where the line will go through Irion County. Things have gotten even more complicated with this ruling to consolidate a portion of two of the cases. Which is all to say: it is anyone’s guess how the case in Irion County is going to turn out.
Below is from the direct testimony filed by Chance Goodin from Salado in the Bell County East to Big Hill case, the segment east of Irion County. It gets at why I think this process is manifestly unfair and likely unconstitutional.
The key to a fair process is that the parties should be able to participate in a meaningful way. Here is what I have argued in my Statement of Position: Noelke has further argued in 59182 at Item 508 that amended PURA §37.057 limiting these cases to 180 days is not a grant of authority to the Applicants to disregard landowner Due Course of Law rights under the Texas Constitution, Tex. Const. art. I, § 19, Due Process rights under the U.S. Constitution, U.S. Const. Amend XIV, § 1 or those rights found in the Texas Administrative Procedure Act at Texas Gov’t Code § 2001.051.
Section 2001.051 specifically provides:
In a contested case, each party is entitled to an opportunity:
(1) for hearing after reasonable notice of not less than 10 days; and
(2) to respond and to present evidence and argument on each issue involved in the case.
Pending
Copyright 2025 G. Noelke
