A controversial power plan for Central Texas is approved despite calls of concern. Residents in Hutto fought for nearly three years to get a transmission line project moved out of the city. Those requests were denied, but the Texas Public Utilities Commission did make a few tweaks to accommodate concerns.

Eight miles of the project are planned for a stretch of County Road 132 in Hutto. At the time the project was first investigated, the small country road stretched through a very rural part of the city.

“There's considerable low growth in that area,” said Robbie Searcy, Lower Colorado River Authority.

However, since 2001 when the site was first surveyed, the look of County Road 132 has changed. Neighborhoods have gone up, and thousands have moved into Hutto. The transmission line project could run close to the homes and families.

“It's a mess. It causes havoc,” said Garry Hughes, concerned resident.

The poles that will be used in the project were initially going to be large lattice designs. Instead, the LCRA, along with the PUC, chose to downgrade the size of the poles that would run through the City of Hutto. There will be between 40 and 50 poles constructed through town. The poles will range in size from 100 to 170 feet high and three to ten feet in diameter. It’s still too large for comfort for residents like Hughes.

“Imagine that high voltage running right over here, right through these schools and everything, where there are kids, nah, uh-uh,” said Hughes.

Hughes was one of hundreds of Hutto residents that wanted to see the lines moved out of the city and along the new 130 toll road.

“I don't like the power lines coming through my city. I would rather them be on the outskirts somewhere,” said Bobbie Elder, concerned Hutto resident.

The LCRA board looked at 29 potential routes, including routes suggested by Hutto residents. The board still picked the route that meant installing poles through Hutto city lines.

“That route affects the fewest habitable structures along the 85 mile route,” said Searcy.

Even though the route chosen may have the smallest impact on homes, some residents worry that homes near the lines will be in danger. The homes could be as close as 50 to 100 feet from the transmission lines.

“The frequency that it pulls, it's bad for people's health. That high voltage is bad for people's health,” said Hughes.

The LCRA doesn't have any reports of dangers associated with the lines except for injuries sustained during the installment of the lines by workers.

“It's our feeling that these are safe projects,” said Searcy.

The Clear Springs to Hutto Transmission Line project could ultimately relieve power demand across Central Texas and lower electric costs. That’s a small consolation for families that live where the lines will be installed.

“If they're using it for more power in the area and in the state they need to work out the power grid,” said Hughes.

“This line was chosen based on a number of factors including environmental, costs, and number of residential, habitable structures,” responded Searcy.

The LCRA estimates the project will cross about 300 properties along the entire 85 mile stretch. It intends to negotiate with those property owners to obtain easements to construct, operate, and maintain the transmission line.

The project could be energized by 2011.