Entergy Texas has received regulatory approval and $200 million in state grant funding to advance a major transmission infrastructure project aimed at improving grid reliability and supporting rapid growth in Southeast Texas.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved the Southeast Texas Area Reliability Project (SETEX), a new 500-kilovolt transmission line spanning 145 miles across eight counties, from the Babel Switching Station in Newton County to the Running Bear Substation in Montgomery County. SETEX is part of the company's Southeast Texas Energy Plan, also known as STEP Ahead, and was identified as critical by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) through its long-range planning process.

In addition to regulatory approval, Entergy Texas secured approximately $200 million from the Texas Energy Fund, which will support grid-hardening upgrades across its service territory. The funding will allow the utility to upgrade or replace over 9,000 structures and about 400 miles of transmission and distribution lines--at no added cost to customers.

Eliecer Viamontes, CEO of Entergy Texas, emphasized the dual focus on reliability and affordability: "Growth in Southeast Texas is creating incredible opportunities... we must build a resilient power grid that supports long-term economic expansion."

Field surveys for the SETEX project will begin soon, with construction expected to start in 2027. The line is projected to be fully energized by 2029.