Texans for Affordable Transmission

Texas Statewide Survey of Likely General Election Voters

Conducted May 20 - 21, 2026

n=510

±4.34%

METHODOLOGY

This probabilistic survey was conducted May 20 - 21, 2026, with 510 likely general election voters. It has a margin of error of ± 4.34%. Known registered voters were interviewed via online panel and SMS. This survey was weighted to a likely general election voter universe.

ABOUT THE FIRM

Cygnal is an award-winning international polling, public opinion, and predictive analytics firm that pioneered multi-mode polling, text-to-web collection, and emotive analysis. Cygnal consistently ranks as the most accurate firm, and clients rely on Cygnal’s ability to create intelligence for action. Its team members have worked in all 50 states and multiple countries on more than 3,000 corporate, public affairs, and political campaigns.

Q7. Initial Competitive Transmission:

Thinking more about energy and the electric transmission grid… For many years, Texans have benefited from competition in the retail and wholesale electricity market. The one segment of the electricity market that doesn’t compete for the lowest price is the transmission market where private monopolies are automatically awarded construction projects with no competitive bidding. Do you support or oppose Texas adopting competitive transmission policies in order to force companies to compete for projects and deliver lower prices to consumers?

Support	72.9%
Strongly support	50.5%
Somewhat support	22.3%
Oppose	9.0%
Somewhat oppose	3.8%
Strongly oppose	5.2%
Neither support nor oppose	10.3%
Unsure	7.8%
Total	100.0%

Q8 - Q11. Messages:

The following is information about competitive transmission that you may have seen or heard in the news or in advertisements about the benefits of introducing competition to the transmission building process. Select whether the information makes you more or less likely to support competition.

Swipe left to view the full chart.

	More likely	Much more likely	Makes no difference	Less likely	Much less likely	Unsure	Total
Lower Costs: Competition brings lower costs to the process of building transmission lines because cost overruns are borne by the developer, not ratepayers.	59.5% 303	29.8% 152	13.6% 70	12.8% 65	7.4% 38	14.1% 72	100.0% 510
Faster Construction: Competition ensures the new lines are built faster, as developers are incentivized to complete the project on time.	58.5% 299	27.3% 139	20.5% 105	11.3% 57	5.4% 28	9.7% 49	100.0% 510
Innovation: Competition brings innovation and fresh ideas, such as creative ways to minimize the need for new rights-of-way and reduce the impact on landowners.	64.1% 327	31.1% 158	12.9% 66	11.1% 57	5.7% 29	11.9% 61	100.0% 510
Investment in Texas: Competition opens the door to new companies and capital investment in Texas wanting to compete for transmission projects.	60.6% 309	30.4% 155	15.7% 80	12.3% 63	4.4% 23	11.4% 58	100.0% 510

Q.12 Informed Competitive Transmission:

Now knowing this information… Do you support or oppose Texas adopting competitive transmission policies in order to force companies to compete for projects and deliver lower prices to consumers?

Support	74.6%
Strongly support	46.4%
Somewhat support	28.2%
Oppose	9.0%
Somewhat oppose	5.2%
Strongly oppose	3.7%
Neither support nor oppose	9.3%
Unsure	7.0%
Total	100.0%

Q13. Grid-Enhancing Technologies:

Grid-enhancing technologies use sensors, software, and hardware upgrades to allow existing power lines to carry more electricity without building new towers or clearing new land. Experts estimate these technologies could be deployed in months rather than years, at a fraction of the cost of new construction, to get more out of the existing grid infrastructure. Knowing this, how important do you think it is for policymakers and regulators to require transmission line owners and operators to consider using these technologies before approving expensive new transmission line construction?

Important	82.4%
Very important	54.3%
Somewhat important	28.0%
Not important	6.8%
Not very important	3.8%
Not important at all	3.0%
Unsure	10.9%
Total	100.0%

Here's What Others are Saying

“I think we need to build, build, build. America needs every electron and every molecule of every type we can get, and we need more infrastructure to move it … Reliable and aﬀordable energy, it’s not only a prerequisite to ensuring the safety and security of the American people, but it’s also totally critical to winning the AI race, reshoring manufacturing and ensuring a prosperous economy.”

“The time has come for competitive transmission in Texas. Opening the transmission sector to competition means leveraging the power of the market to deliver the most reliable grid at the lowest reasonable cost.”

“The Texas Legislature should encourage a planning process that creates a truly cost-efficient system, meeting the state’s needs today and enabling its growth tomorrow. They also should optimize the existing system with advanced transmission technologies such as infrastructure, hardware and software options, sensors and other improvements that can increase the grid’s capacity and resilience by as much as 20-50%, and at a fraction of the cost of a new power line.”