September 24, 2014
Texas

Wind farm company responds to opponents

by Kirsten Schaffer | September 23, 2014 | www.kristv.com

City Council heard more recommendations Tuesday regarding the proposed wind farm development on the South side of town.

Apex Clean Energy is planning to build the project in the Chapman Ranch area. However, some local television stations and the National Weather Service have raised concerns about the wind farm, saying the location of the wind farm could impact local broadcasts, live reports, and radar for the NWS.

Council members heard more about the potential impact on broadcasters from Don Dunlap, the general manager of KEDT, the local PBS station.

Dunlap said wind turbine blades had the potential to interrupt digital television as well as radio signals.

Apex Clean Energy issued a statement Monday saying they had hired an independent, third party telecommunications consulting engineer to study the impacts of the proposed wind farm on broadcasting in the area.

The company also said they’re awaiting feedback from the city on their most recent development agreement proposal. That proposal includes a proposed resolution that would not require the city to annex a part of the Chapman Ranch.

According to ChapmanRanchWind.com, Apex Clean Energy has offered to:

Decrease the Chapman Ranch wind farm project size to more than 7,000 acres
Reimburse the city up to half a million dollars for any radar studies or upgrades to the airport that are required due to the wind farm
Work with local radio and TV stations to address any areas of concern they have identified
Work with all respective stakeholders, FAA, Navy, DOD to address any air traffic concerns due to the project.

To see more of the statement and proposal by Apex Clean Energy, click here.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/09/24/wind-farm-company-responds-to-opponents/