Power lines planned across Texas face an uncertain future after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called on the Public Utilities Commission of Texas to deny pending applications for high-voltage transmission lines. The power lines have pitted the interests of the energy industry against ranchers and other private landowners. Since lawmakers voted to build new transmission lines in 2023, Texas has seen a boom in data center proposals. But the PUC process is already underway, and the agency does not answer to the lawmakers directly.