Company wants to build wind farm in Webb county
Webb county commissioners are debating whether or not to approve the construction of a multi-million dollar wind farm in south Texas.
The wind farm would produce electricity for over 30 thousand homes across Laredo all in an energy efficient manner.
It’s a project with a more than 200 million dollar price tag; constructing a wind farm over 20 thousand acres of land just 7 miles north of Oilton.
“Projected cost of the project is a little over 200 million dollars.”
Trey Comiskey, a representative from DKRW wind speaks in front of a panel of enthusiastic commissioners at this morning’s commissioners court meeting.
He’s pitching the idea of installing one hundred windmills near Oilton.
Helping produce electricity for about 35 thousand homes across Webb County.
He also mentioned that this new mutli-million dollar project would bring hundreds of new jobs to the county.
G.H. “Trey” Comiskey III, Dir. of Business Development
“It would create about 200 temporary jobs during construction and then about 12 permanent jobs…mainly mechanics for the turbines.”
If given the green light, the wind farm is projected to be in place for the next 40 to 45 years.
But will the revenue this new project is expected to bring in cover the cost of the tax break?
“To the county, during the abatement period, it will bring in about 280 thousand dollars a year. Over the 20 year period it would be about 8 million dollars in new tax revenue to the county.”
Officials say, the project would be federally funded and would not cost the county a dime.
While commissioners seemed enthusiastic about the idea they’ll wait until their next meeting to make a final decision.
Commissioners say there is another wind company that wants to build a wind farm in the same region.
They did not decide on any amount of tax abatement they would grant either of these companies.
Officials will further discuss the issue at the next county commissioner’s meeting.
22 June 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
Some possibly related stories:
- Wind farm company asking county for lower taxes
- Wind farm proposed for southern Tom Green County
- Company to Build Wind Farm in San Patricio County
- Port of CC could add wind turbines in spring; Potential partnership could land 20 wind turbines in the inner harbor
- Wind farm gets Tom Green County tax abatement
- County hears about wind farm plans
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