AEP Texas representatives plan to rebuild approximately 41 miles of 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to 138-kV capacity between the La Palma Substation and the Stewart Road Substation. This project also includes the construction of the Rangerville and Rio Rico Substations.
The proposed improvements help decrease the likelihood and duration of wide, community-sustained outages and modernize the electric system to allow more flexibility to address the area's growing power demand due to economic growth and development.
AEP Texas plans to file a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) following a review of public input on the route link development and additional route analysis. Project representatives expect to file the CCN application in fall 2026. The PUCT determines the final line route.
Fall 2026: AEP Texas representatives hosted two in-person open houses for this project in Weslaco, Texas on July 15, 2026 and on July 16, 2026 in San Benito, Texas.
During the open houses, landowners viewed detailed maps, talked to project team members about project plans, the PUCT regulatory approval process, the project need and benefits and the routing analysis process. There was no formal presentation.
*Move slider to view project timeline
AEP Texas crews plan to install single steel pole structures.
Typical Structure Height: Approximately 85 - 100 feet*
Typical Distance Between Structures:
Approximately 400 - 600 feet*
Typical Right-of-Way Width: Approximately 80 - 100 feet*
*Exact structure types, height and right-of-way requirements may vary
AEP Texas serves more than 900,000 electric consumers in the deregulated Texas marketplace.
346-643-0280
AEPTexasOutreach@aep.com