Greg Abbott Announces Grant Strengthening Electrical Reliability in East Texas

The Governor announced Tuesday a $73 million grant to replace and upgrade electric poles in East Texas.

How will the grant be used?

The grant will be used to replace and upgrade nearly 10,000 electric poles in East Texas, improving electric grid reliability for over 38,000 Texas consumers.

What Texas leaders are saying: 

• The Governor: “The Texas Energy Fund delivers real results for Texans and strengthens the electric systems that families, businesses, and communities depend on”
• Public Utility Commission of Texas Chairman Thomas Gleeson: “Texans in every corner of our state expect and deserve reliable electricity”

Governor Abbott's announcement marks the first agreement under the Texas Energy Fund (TxEF) outside of ERCOT Grant Program (OEGP) with Sam Houston Electric Cooperative.

The project, named Steel Anchor, will replace 9,838 vulnerable wooden utility poles in East Texas with stronger steel and ductile iron poles. The project ranges across portions of Montgomery, Liberty and Hardin counties.

“This grant to Sam Houston Electric Cooperative will replace thousands of vulnerable utility poles to better withstand severe weather and ensure a more reliable and resilient grid in East Texas," the Governor said in a press release.

The upgrades will improve electrical reliability in the area, the most hurricane-prone sector under Sam Houston Electric Cooperative.

Steel Anchor is projected to be completed by June 2031.