North Montgomery County residents are concerned about a power transmission line project by Entergy Texas. The project would establish new transmission lines between Willis and either Huntsville or Shiro by 2020.

Known as the Western Region Economic Project, the company will establish a new 230-kilovolt transmission line to improve its capacity. The project involves construction of two separate transmission lines, of which the western portion is expected to affect north Montgomery County residents. The eastern portion of the project affects residents living between Newton and South Toledo Bay.

The company is in the early stages of planning and will review approximately 15 possible routes for the north Montgomery County transmission line, said Allen East, director of customer service for Entergy Texas west.

“The main purpose of this project is to improve efficiency in our transmission grid,” East said. “We need to continue to look at improving our grid as the area continues to grow and the demand for services increases.”

One proposal could connect Entergy’s Grimes substation near Shiro to the company’s Lewis Creek substation near Willis. Alternatively, the project could instead entail construction of a new substation near Huntsville and connecting it to the Lewis Creek substation.

East said the company will continue to evaluate possible routes and will present options to the Public Utility Commission of Texas for selection and approval. Only one route will be selected and only afterward will the project cost be determined, he said.

“We are just now looking at all of the alternative routes,” East said. “Before this process is over we will identify 15 to 20 different routes from end to end.”

Local residents have voiced opposition to some of the proposed routes, which include paths on FM 1097, near Hwy. 105 or FM 2854. Bentwater residents Patrick Harren and Tom Watkins started a petition on Monday to express concern about the project’s effect on local communities. The petition has been signed by 1,033 residents as of Wednesday afternoon.

“Putting the towers across the lake next to the [FM 1097] bridge will affect the aesthetic appeal,” Harren said. “ They will be visible from Bentwater. There is also concern about property values with 120-foot towers going through the rather narrow right-of-way.”

The company has conducted several public meetings in Anderson, Willis and Huntsville regarding the project. West said Entergy would host additional meetings in the near future.

For more information about the project visit www.entergy-texas.com/transmission/wrep.aspx. To learn more about the resident petition in opposition to the project visit www.change.org.