January 21, 2023
Texas

Tax abatement for NextEra’s wind farm to come before the county Ben Shaffer

James Durbin / Midland Reporter-Telegram. Jan. 20, 2023. mrt.com

The tax abatement for NextEra’s wind farm is on the Midland County Commissioners’ Court agenda Monday.

In November, county commissioners approved a reinvestment zone for the planned location of the wind farm, the first step toward granting a tax abatement, but the abatement discussion itself was postponed to a later date.

NextEra is developing the facility, a 141-megawatt facility comprised of 47 3-megawatt turbines. They will be placed on surface acreage Pioneer owns on the Hutt ranch in southeast Midland County.

According to officials from County Judge Terry Johnson’s office, Johnson will not be abstaining from this vote, as Johnson’s company (TCO Field Service) deals with Pioneer, not NextEra, for which the tax abatement will officially be granted or voted against.

During the November commissioners court, two Midlanders voiced their concern with the project, citing a lack of long-term full-time job creation and minimal benefits for locals. Daniel Pender, surface land and business development director of Pioneer Natural Resources told the court that this project is a critical first step in reducing emissions.

Pioneer has agreed to purchase power from the facility, expected to be operational in 2024, for use in its oil and gas operations. Targa Resources will also participate, using power from the facility for its processing plants.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2023/01/21/tax-abatement-for-nexteras-wind-farm-to-come-before-the-county-ben-shaffer/