Office of County Commissioner Precinct 1
Christina Drewry
June 2, 2026
Today, Commissioner J. Scott Herod and I voted YES to form a narrowed Chapter 391 Sub-Regional Planning Commission with Van Zandt County focused on energy infrastructure and safety.
Judge Franklin and Commissioner Caraway voted NO.
The motion failed on a 2-2 tie.
I am disappointed.
For 18 months, Van Zandt County has been dealing with increasing pressure from multiple solar farm leases and battery storage proposals — including one operational solar facility that has already caused significant strain on their volunteer fire departments.
Instead of approving this focused, lawful tool to help address these local challenges, the Court chose to continue relying solely on ETCOG.
If ETCOG is truly the answer, then I have to ask:
Where has the Council of Governments been while Texas farmers and ranchers have been facing these large-scale energy developments?
Why has ETCOG not been visibly leading the fight in Van Zandt County or other rural counties facing these same pressures?
Why hasn’t their “help” produced stronger, more visible protection for our land and water?
And most importantly — if the Council of Governments was truly sufficient, why did the Texas Legislature create a separate path within Chapter 391 allowing Sub-Regional Planning Commissions in the first place?
The answer is simple: Because rural counties needed a more focused, local tool with real statutory authority to require state agencies like ERCOT and PUC to coordinate with us — not just polite “relationships.”
ETCOG is not elected by the people. They serve governments, not citizens. ETCOG does not offer the same focused power. According to their own mission statement, they are “a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts and special districts” that exists to assist local governments and their elected officials. Their “Vision” is to help their “members” — who are elected officials — accomplish their goals.
In contrast, a Chapter 391 Commission is made up of local elected officials working directly on 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 issues in our own backyard, and it actively includes citizen advisors at the table. It is a true citizen empowerment tool that gives everyday residents a real voice alongside their elected representatives.
Why did ETCOG work so hard to discourage Smith County from forming this local 391 Commission with Van Zandt County? If they truly had our citizens’ best interests at heart, wouldn’t they welcome and encourage a more focused, citizen-empowered tool to protect our region?
I was elected by you. You are my boss. My first duty is to the citizens of Smith County — to protect your property rights, your farmland, your water resources, and your children’s future with every lawful tool we have. County Commissioners have a special responsibility to serve the rural backbone of Smith County — our farmers, ranchers, and rural families. It seems that some people have forgotten that. You deserve a strong voice that actually fights for you instead of deferring to unelected bureaucrats in Kilgore. That is why I fought for this 391 Commission. It keeps power where it belongs: with elected officials who are directly accountable to the people, not with unelected regional planners.
I will continue fighting for real local control and practical protection for our families, our farms, and our future.
Thank you to everyone who came to court today. Your voice mattered. We are not done.
