Wind Power News: Texas
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
City of Sinton denies school district claims in wind turbine lawsuit
CORPUS CHRISTI — The city of Sinton said in a recent court filing that the Sinton school district isn’t entitled to a court order allowing its hotly contested wind turbine project to move forward. The filing responds to the school district’s lawsuit, which claimed city boards didn’t follow their own procedures and broke open government laws after the district requested variances to the city’s wind turbine ordinance. The plan to build two 155-foot turbines on the high school campus for . . .
Jonestown council member involved with failed wind energy project resigns
Jonestown City Council Alderman Lance Wedell, who has faced public criticism for his involvement in a failed wind energy project, has resigned his position on the City Council. During a special meeting on Tuesday, the City Council acknowledged Wedell’s resignation, which takes effect Thursday. For months the Jonestown Action Committee, a citizen watchdog group, has sought the resignations of Wedell and Mayor Deane Armstrong for their roles in the Jonestown wind energy project. Charlie Malouff Jr., founder of CM Energies, . . .
Kleberg commissioners vote to oppose wind turbines
By a 5-0 vote, the Kleberg County Commissioners Court has unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the construction of wind farms in Kleberg County. The vote Monday comes just four days after an agreement was signed by officials with the Navy, the Department of Defense and the Texas Wind Group allowing for the building and operation of wind turbines in Kleberg County. The Commissioners have spoken loud and clear, they do not support the construction of wind turbines in their county. . . .
Navy, South Texas wind developer sign agreement paving way for 83-turbine project near Riviera
CORPUS CHRISTI — The Navy signed an agreement with a wind farm developer Thursday that paves the way for 83 turbines to be built near Riviera, over the objections of local officials. The agreement is a first since developers began tapping the Texas coast for its steady daytime winds and, military officials say, can serve as a blueprint for cooperation between alternative energy developers and the military. It also comes as a stark contrast to last year, when the commander . . .
Worker injured in wind turbine accident
Crews responded to reports of an injury at a Big Country wind farm. Scurry County EMS was dispatched to the Invenergy wind farm on Ennis Creek Road this morning as crews reported an injured worker. According to those at the scene, the worker, who has not been identified, had a crushed hand and was still at the top of the tower when crews arrived. No other information was available at the time of publication.
Sinton City Council takes no action on firing of city manager, city secretary in tumultuous meeting
SINTON — The Sinton City Council took no action Tuesday night on measures to fire the city manager and city secretary, who have nearly 50 years of combined experience as city employees. During a tumultuous meeting that included one councilman abruptly leaving while members of the audience shouted “coward” and “chicken,” the council determined it couldn’t act because notice of the meeting hadn’t been properly posted under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Tuesday’s meeting was a flash point in what, . . .
Sinton considers firing administrators amid wind turbine dispute
SINTON — The Sinton City Council is expected to meet tonight to consider firing the city manager and city secretary amid a dispute between the city and Sinton school district over a wind turbine project. The district has sued the city after its planning commission and Board of Adjustment rejected measures that would have allowed turbine construction to proceed. The district wants to use $974,000 in federal funds and $243,000 in district funds to build two turbines at the high . . .
Dispute over Sinton wind turbine project spurs debate between city, school district officials
CORPUS CHRISTI — The dispute over wind turbines at Sinton High School appears to have taken a stark political turn, with Sinton City Manager Jackie Knoxsaying he expects to be fired Tuesday because of school officials influencing the City Council. The district wants to build two wind turbines for education and energy savings using a $974,000 federal grant. It sued the city last week, arguing city rulings that block the project can’t be enforced because they are the result of . . .
Pickens reviving plans for Texas wind power at smaller scale
Billionaire T. Boone Pickens is building a 377-megawatt wind farm in Texas, three years after shelving plans for a project about ten times as big that would’ve been the world’s largest. Mesa Power Group LLC, the Dallas-based renewable energy company Pickens created in 2007, is co-developing the Stephens Bor-Lynn wind farm with Wind Tex Energy LP, according to a statement today. Pickens will connect the farm to a transmission line that’s due to be completed in early 2013. Mesa announced . . .
Wind turbines and radar interference
Kingsville officials oppose a planned wind farm near Rivera (“Kingsville resolution opposes wind farm project,” March 28). They are concerned about potential interference with Navy radar. I say these concerns are well founded. The turbines north of Nueces Bay definitely interfere with FAA radar right here in Corpus Christi. Radar looks for moving targets in the sky and the turbine blades above our flat horizon are exactly that. The radar scans the horizon about every 4 seconds. It sees the . . .
