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Barry Smitherman

Barry Smitherman served as chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) from 2011 to 2016, during which he oversaw regulatory decisions affecting the state's electricity infrastructure and grid operations.

Referenced in 1 briefingLast referenced: July 8, 2026

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July 8, 2026

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Ratepayers Come Off the Hook. Developers Underwrite the Wires Themselves.

Separately, Barry Smitherman of Texans for Affordable Transmission pegs the West Texas to I-35 backbone at $33 billion, rising toward $40 to $50 billion, with ratepayers absorbing every dollar under SB 1938's incumbent-only model.

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