My name is Travis Dimler — I live and work on a ranch in the Glass Mountains in northern Brewster County.
AEP/CPS is planning to build a 765 KV electrical transmission line (as large as they get in Texas) going from San Antonio to the substation where Hovey Road meets IH-10.
See maps and further information here: https://www.aeptransmission.com/texas/howard-solstice/
For all purposes, the route should be running along the existing transmission corridor of IH-10. This, however, is not what AEP is proposing. The southern route, which cuts deep into the mountains, is being lobbied for by energy companies who want to build projects in the Big Bend. There are already leases in place and energy companies are actively pursuing additional acreage in Brewster County.
Wind/solar energy and data center projects are coming to our doorstep. Transmission is the first and biggest hurdle. Once there is infrastructure and critical mass for development, it is a race to the bottom. Pristine, open rangelands can turn into an industrial blight seemingly overnight.
Future energy projects notwithstanding, this line alone, due to its size, could be hugely impactful to the Big Bend region.
The transmission line won’t be stopped, but the route needs to be changed. Every inch that this line moves south puts the Big Bend at greater threat for energy development. Far West Texas is the last largely unspoiled area in our great state, and it needs to be protected at all costs. These big, pristine vistas are the final piece of our history and heritage that have been left wholly intact — we, our children, and our grandchildren will be made poorer should we lose them.
Texas should be aggressively pursuing all forms of energy to keep up with a growing population. Much of Texas, however, is already fragmented/developed and no longer in a natural state — that is where wind/solar/data can be expanded, not here. We must not ruin our last great place.
Citizens and landowners in the eastern range of the transmission line are already mobilized. West Texans need to engage and pressure AEP/CPS to do the right thing and push this route as far north as possible. Talk to your family, friends, neighbors, state and local politicians. Our best chance to affect change is through a broad coalition and unified voice. Public comments close September 3.
We are fortunate to live in the most beautiful, biodiverse part of Texas. Let’s keep it that way so that future generations may continue to seek inspiration here.
Travis Dimler
Brewster County
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Editor:
The Friends of Hunter Gym wishes to extend our gratitude and thanks to Para Llevar, Angel’s Restaurant, The Big Bend Sentinel, Larry’s and Cactus Liquors for their generous donation of pizza, burritos, sandwiches, hamburgers and beverages served at our recent welcome back lunch for Marfa ISD teachers and staff.
We would also like to thank Marfa Hardware for their loan of building materials and MISD Interim Superintendent Arturo Alferez, Adele Powers, Carlos Morales and Leslie Wilkes for their invaluable assistance. The event was held to brief participants on our restoration project and to gain their input on potential future use of the historic facility. We look forward to other community events introducing the project to the public and welcome ideas, concerns and involvement as we continue our efforts to restore and preserve this significant resource for our community.
Many thanks,
Bob Schwab
Member Friends of Hunter Gym – Board of Directors
Marfa
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Editor,
I was deeply moved by Hilary Scruggs Beebe’s article about Albergue Casa Hogar in Ojinaga in the August 7 edition. This story makes real the ongoing tragedy of the Trump deportation policies and helps us understand their devastating effects on actual immigrants like Gerardo. It is a story that deserves broader distribution.
And Mary Cantrell’s coverage of the AEP rezoning case before the Marfa City Council was excellent, explaining a complex issue in clear and unbiased terms. It is unfortunate that AEP is unable or unwilling to provide more detailed information about the specific drivers of the need for the new substation, and their unwillingness to consider alternative sites until Council acts on the rezoning application. Having alternatives could improve the Council’s decision, and it is not unreasonable to request it of AEP.
Mary Etherington’s fascinating reporting about the collection of scents of the Chihuahuan Desert, aided by resident expert Jim Martinez, is another example of a unique story from the Big Bend. She always finds interesting and unusual topics to cover, writing in a personal style that makes one feel like it’s a discussion over coffee at The Sentinel.
Finally, Trey Gerfers’ weekly “Our Water Matters” column always provides useful information about the critically important issue of water in the Big Bend desert. That The Sentinel includes it in every other edition is a testament to the value of local reporting.
Although I no longer live in Marfa, my heart remains connected to the people and the place. I learn something new from The Sentinel every week, and am grateful for the quality of reporting the very small staff is able to maintain.
Laura Doll
Austin, formerly of Marfa