By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of American Energy Works.

Imagine a Texas where a data center or a manufacturing plant builds its own power source, sidestepping the public grid and the costly transmission projects that have sparked controversy across the Hill Country. That vision is at the heart of a new policy concept gaining traction among energy experts and lawmakers.

Why “Bring Your Own Power” Matters

Glenn Lyons, a former ERCOT board member with more than four decades in the electricity sector, explains that large users can finance independent generation close to where it’s needed. By entering voluntary agreements with landowners, these users would avoid the need for new 765‑kilovolt transmission lines that many Texans fear will raise rates and threaten private property. Lyons says, “If you have to build off‑site because you need that speed, you want to be able to connect with other parties who are in the same position because that allows you to build a more efficient answer. It’s going to be cheaper for everybody. It’ll be a smaller environmental footprint. It’ll be more reliable.”

The model is not about small‑scale solar rooftops; it envisions sizable, mixed‑technology projects—potentially including gas, nuclear, or storage—that operate independently of the public grid. This could relieve pressure on ERCOT, which has struggled with demand growth since the winter storm that spiked rates.

Property Rights and Eminent Domain

One of the strongest arguments for the proposal is its respect for private property. Lyons, a vocal opponent of eminent domain, notes that allowing private developers to negotiate directly with landowners eliminates the need for the state to seize land for public infrastructure. “The state cannot come and take your property for some private development,” he says, emphasizing that voluntary agreements protect landowners while still delivering needed power.

For Texas ranchers and farmers who have long resisted transmission corridors cutting across pristine Hill Country, this approach offers a tangible alternative. If large industrial users can demonstrate that they can meet their own power needs, the justification for new transmission projects—and the associated land takings—diminishes.

Legislative Path Forward

As the Texas Legislature convenes in January, proponents are urging lawmakers to craft a bill that creates a clear regulatory exemption for these private grids. The exemption would keep such projects out of public utility regulation, provided they serve only large, sophisticated customers and do not impact the residential grid.

Lyons stresses that the legislation must spell out the criteria for exemption and ensure that any agreements are truly voluntary. “If you’re not touching the public grid and you’re not selling to residential consumers, you are given the certainty that you will not be regulated as a public utility,” he explains.

Potential Impact on Energy Costs and Reliability

Supporters argue that the model could lower electricity costs for both businesses and ratepayers. By removing the need for massive transmission projects, utilities could avoid passing construction expenses onto consumers. Additionally, private grids could be built faster, delivering power to new industrial sites more quickly than waiting for traditional utility extensions.

Critics, however, caution that a patchwork of private grids might complicate overall grid reliability, especially during extreme weather events. Lyons acknowledges the concern but points out that diversified generation—mixing solar, storage, gas, or nuclear—can provide resilience without relying on the broader grid.

Looking Beyond Texas

The “Bring Your Own Power” concept is already being discussed in other states, including New Hampshire, where a similar bill faced amendments from incumbent utilities. Lyons notes the bipartisan interest, saying, “Bring Your Own Power was never conceived as a red or blue kind of policy.” If Texas adopts the model, it could set a precedent for other jurisdictions seeking market‑based solutions to energy infrastructure challenges.

Ultimately, the proposal reflects a broader shift toward empowering private investors to address energy needs while safeguarding the rights of landowners and preserving the environment.

As Texas grapples with growing power demand and the legacy of costly transmission debates, the “Bring Your Own Power” framework offers a pragmatic path that aligns economic efficiency with constitutional liberty.

The full episode of American Energy Works is available on OBBM Network TV.