In this episode of The Right Idea, Derek Cohen sits down with Carson Clayton, TPPF Life Powered Campaign Director, to break down the controversial 765 KV transmission lines (Strategic Transmission Expansion Plan / STEP).

Texas lawmakers and activists are sounding the alarm over a $33 billion plan to build massive ultra-high voltage transmission lines across the state — cutting through pristine Hill Country and farmland — instead of addressing the root cause: Texas’ broken energy market that over-subsidizes intermittent wind and solar while under-building reliable dispatchable power.

Featuring powerful clips from Senator Kevin Sparks and Representative Brad Buckley.

Key Topics:

• Why the Permian Basin — one of the most energy-rich regions in the world — needs power imported from Central Texas
• How federal subsidies, ESG pressure, and ERCOT’s energy-only market are distorting investment
• The massive cost to ratepayers and landowners
• What real market reform looks like to prevent blackouts and unnecessary transmission boondoggles

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction to the 765 Lines Controversy
• 01:23 - What Are the 765 KV Transmission Lines?
• 02:41 - Senator Kevin Sparks on the Permian Basin Plan
• 04:40 - Why Wind & Solar Boom Created a Reliability Crisis
• 08:37 - Senator Sparks on ERCOT Market Failures & Subsidies
• 09:39 - How the Energy-Only Market Rewards Unreliable Power
• 12:19 - Federal Policy, ESG, and Renewable Credits Driving the Problem
• 15:12 - Rep. Brad Buckley: Pause the Project & Reform the Market
• 17:02 - Proposed Market Reforms (SB 715 & Reliability Standards)
• 20:01 - The Coming Reliability Cliff & Why Transmission Is Just a Band-Aid
• 21:22 - How Much Gas Generation Would Make the 765 Lines Unnecessary?

If you care about Texas energy independence, affordable electricity, property rights, and keeping the lights on, this is a must-watch.

Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne joins The Right Idea to discuss some of the biggest issues shaping Texas and America: border security, immigration enforcement, H1B visa fraud, AI-driven energy demand, data centers, and the rise of the creator economy.

Hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen also break down the latest Senate race developments, GOP turnout questions, and why Texas continues to lead the nation in economic growth and energy production.

Congresswoman Van Duyne explains why Texas stepped in during the Biden-era border crisis, discusses the fight over SB 4 and state sovereignty, details allegations of H1B visa fraud in North Texas, and shares why she launched the Congressional Creators Caucus to support digital creators, podcasters, YouTubers, and independent media entrepreneurs.

01:11 - Hot Take: Texas Primary Election turnout
03:35 – Introducing Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne
04:30 – SB 4, border security & states’ rights
08:48 – Immigration enforcement under Trump vs. Biden
12:05 – How Congress can codify border security reforms
15:00 – Investigating alleged H1B visa fraud in North Texas
17:20 – Texas energy dominance & economic growth
18:15 – AI, data centers & ERCOT’s energy strategy
21:50 – The Congressional Creators Caucus explained
24:15 – AI content theft & protecting creators
26:00 – The future of independent media & influencers

Texas is taking a bold stand against excessive regulations. In this episode of The Right Idea, Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Jerome Greener, Director of the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), to discuss the state’s aggressive new push to cut red tape and boost economic freedom.

The team breaks down TREO’s first major findings — nearly $120 million in potential savings from just the initial review of 11 agencies — and how they’re using AI to make government work better for Texans. From licensing reforms for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs to modernizing outdated rules, this is one of the most ambitious regulatory reform efforts in the country.

Plus: The growing focus on government fraud and waste, why Texas needs this office despite its pro-business reputation, and how everyday Texans can help shape the next round of cuts.

01:08 – Hot Take: Government Fraud & Waste in 2026
04:16 – Guest Introduction: Jerome Greener, Director of Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO)
06:22 – $123 Million in Potential Savings Explained
07:53 – Why Texas Still Needs Major Regulatory Reform
08:49 – How TREO Differs from the Sunset Process
09:59 – The Massive Texas Administrative Code: 20 Million Words & 274K Restrictions
10:23 – What Makes a Regulation Too Burdensome?
11:30 – TREO’s Review Process & Multi-Layer Accuracy Checks
13:04 – How the Public Can Submit Regulations for Review
14:17 – How Texas Compares to Virginia & Florida
15:55 – Meet “Sam” — Texas’ Powerful AI Regulatory Chatbot
17:59 – A One-Stop Tool for Licensing & Rules
20:00 – Transparency, Agency Follow-Through & Future Savings
21:39 – Long-Term Vision: Billions in Savings & Millions of Words Cut
23:22 – Creating Government to Cut Government? Addressing Conservative Concerns
25:02 – Working with the Texas Legislature on Statutory Changes
26:47 – Real Examples of Regulatory Modernization
29:26 – Future Plans: Taking on Local Government Regulations?
30:40 – Balancing Safety, Freedom & Prosperity
31:55 – How Texans Can Engage with TREO