The bill, S.B. No. 1665, mandates a study by the Public Utility Commission of Texas regarding the feasibility of constructing a 765-kilovolt transmission line as part of the Permian Basin Reliability Plan. The commission is prohibited from approving the construction of this transmission line until it conducts a comprehensive study that evaluates various factors, including the performance of extra high voltage transmission lines under different conditions, estimated costs to ratepayers (with a focus on residential customers), potential cost overruns, and supply chain or workforce limitations that could affect project timelines and costs.

Additionally, the results of this study must be submitted to an independent third party for review, although the commission cannot submit the results to any third party that has previously conducted a similar study since January 1, 2020. The section detailing this study will expire on September 1, 2029. The bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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