March 9, 2008
Texas
Texas
VERNON (Special) – City commissioners recently approved a contract with Hilliard Energy Company of Midland, Texas, for the placement of a wind generation research facility on city property. The company is a subsidiary of Florida Power & Light.
Commissioner Phil Bartlett said that about three years ago, the company leased land from the Bunch Farm, Bourland Farm, and Lamb Farm in the northern part of the county for the placement of the meteorological research towers. He said the three towers are barely noticeable, resembling skinny radio towers.
The towers have wind speed indicators at several levels to measure wind speed 24 hours a day.
Bartlett said Hilliard Energy will place a fourth research tower on the city-owned Winston Farm located farther north than the other three farms leased by the company for tower placement.
Hilliard Energy is doing the land work for Florida Power & Light, who would be the actual operator in the event wind turbines are constructed.
“It looks like it is going to happen this time. I think it will be a great deal for Vernon,” Bartlett said.
About two years ago Florida Power & Light held meetings here with farmers and others interested in the construction of wind turbines, but the project was later put on hold.
Linda Stewart
9 March 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/03/09/commissioners-approve-contract-for-wind-research-tower/