State regulators postpone decision on Entergy's controversial plans for Houston-area power line

AI generated summary

State regulators have delayed their decision on Entergy Texas' controversial Southeast Texas Area Reliability Project (SETEX) power line until next week, citing the need for further review. Entergy argues that the power line is essential for meeting the growing electricity demand in the Houston suburbs and preventing outages. However, the proposed routes have faced significant opposition from local residents, particularly concerning the potential environmental impact of crossing Lake Livingston, a critical drinking water source for Houston.

Residents are concerned that allowing the power line to cross the lake could disturb buried contaminants and compromise water quality. Houston's Public Works Director has expressed strong opposition to any route that crosses the lake. While Entergy maintains that there is no evidence to support these concerns, the debate continues, with some residents also opposing an alternative route that would affect their properties. A decision on the project is anticipated at the next Public Utility Commission meeting, where residents can participate by streaming the session online.