Governor Greg Abbott announced a Texas Energy Fund (TxEF) grant totaling more than $8 million to strengthen electric reliability for Bailey County Electric Cooperative Association service members, including Cochran, Lamb and other South Plains counties.
The grant reportedly supports projects that improve electric transmission poles, strengthen against wind-related line damage and boost overall reliability.
The larger projects will work to upgrade equipment on 2,000 poles to protect against high wind, effectively preventing power lines from colliding and reducing outages.
Other projects will upgrade approximately two miles of transmission line to boost reliability, cut outage restoration times and make repairs safer and more efficient.
“Texas works to improve electric reliability and deliver affordable power to every corner of the state,” said Abbott. “This grant provides critical funding for projects that will strengthen our electrical infrastructure and protect Texas families for generations to come.”
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) currently administers the TxEF Outside ERCOT Grant Program, funding the aforementioned project to improve electric reliability and resiliency for Texans served by electric utilities outside the ERCOT region.
“The important reliability grant program is protecting Texans in every corner of our great state,” said PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson. “Every Texan needs to know we’re doing all we can to partner with local power providers to make their systems stronger, more resilient and more reliable.”