National Wind Watch: Wind Energy News » Opposition grows against wind farm planned for Fannin County

In a straw poll taken at a town hall meeting in Honey Grove May 3, 2022, everyone vehemently opposed a sprawling wind farm with 800-foot tall wind turbines that could significantly hamper development between the two newest lakes in Texas.

Honey Grove, Texas – Opposition continues to grow against a wind farm planned for Fannin County, as evidenced by a standing-room-only crowd of approximately 150 people who filled Lyday Hall Tuesday evening in Honey Grove.

Cielo Wind Power is attempting to lease enough land to place 72 wind turbines in Fannin County and 36 wind turbines next door in Lamar County. The wind turbines would be 800-feet tall and be located on productive farmland that will soon be prime real estate for development because it sits between the two newest lakes in Texas.

The wind farm would stretch 15-16 miles across Fannin County and into Lamar County; landowners are being offered 25-year leases.

Honey Grove Mayor Claude Caffee facilitated the town hall meeting and welcomed Fannin County Judge Randy Moore, as well as Newt Cunningham, the Republican candidate expected to take the reins as Fannin County Judge in a little more than nine months.

“My only objective is to make sure we have the facts,” Judge Moore told the crowd and he had three tips. First, talk to your neighbors, Moore urged. Second, take time to understand the potential value of land located between Bois d’Arc Lake and Lake Ralph Hall. And third, talk to an attorney to make certain what you are getting into and ensure that the land will be restored to proper condition when the wind project runs its course.

“Know who you are dealing with,” Mr. Cunningham warned as he quipped that often the “land men” seem to be part Santa Claus and part used-car salesmen.

“Think about your neighbors and think about your family,” Cunningham added. “Some are coming to find out that if they lease, their kids’ land would be devalued.”

He informed the crowd that Cielo Wind Power has filed a permit with ERCOT to tie into the Oncor Electric Delivery transmission lines.

The crowd was incensed that their tax money could be used to subsidize a wind farm in a questionable location, especially when 800-foot wind turbines could appreciably hamper development between the two lakes.

Because the proposed wind farm would be south of the city limits of Dodd City, Windom and Honey Grove, and outside if the 5000′ buffer zones around the two lakes, the cities and county have practically no recourse, although the county would likely deny any request for tax abatement.

County residents seemed eager to circulate petitions as they organize opposition to the wind farm and begin contacting their state representative and state senator.