Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday a roughly $200 million grant from the Texas Energy Fund to upgrade power infrastructure across Northeast Texas, a project officials say will bolster electric reliability for more than 192,000 customers.
The award marks the second agreement under the Texas Energy Fund’s Outside-ERCOT Grant Program and was made to Southwestern Electric Power Company, known as SWEPCO, according to the announcement. The Public Utility Commission of Texas administers the program.
The funding will support upgrades to approximately 700 miles of powerline infrastructure and improvements to nearly 200 circuits. Planned work includes swapping aging copper wire for stronger aluminum alloy conductors and replacing existing utility poles to enhance distribution reliability and storm resilience in SWEPCO’s service territory.
“Reliable electricity powers every part of Texans’ daily lives,” Abbott said. “As our state grows, we will ensure families, businesses and communities have the reliable, affordable power they need. Through these investments to upgrade power line infrastructure, Texas will remain the energy capital of the world.”
PUCT Chairman Thomas Gleeson said the project reflects the program’s purpose.
“The TxEF is producing tangible results for Texans,” Gleeson said. “This project will modernize critical electric equipment, strengthen reliability for more than 192,000 consumers, and ensure Northeast Texas communities have the dependable power they deserve. This is exactly the kind of lasting improvement the TxEF was created to support.”
SWEPCO president and chief operating officer Brett Mattison said the grant would help the utility move faster on needed upgrades while limiting customer costs.
“This TxEF grant allows us to accelerate critical infrastructure improvements while minimizing the financial impact on our customers,” Mattison said. “It’s a win for reliability, affordability and the communities we serve. Across SWEPCO, our teams are united in our shared mission to serve customers, and we work diligently to pursue state and federal grants that help improve service while minimizing customer costs.”
The Outside-ERCOT Grant Program funds electric infrastructure projects to improve reliability and resilience for Texans served by utilities outside the ERCOT region. It is one of four programs operated under the Texas Energy Fund.
SWEPCO’s project is expected to be completed by early 2031.
