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.
Georgetown renegotiating solar, wind power contracts
GEORGETOWN – The city of Georgetown’s bill for wind and solar energy ended up being $8.6 million more than anticipated in fiscal year 2018 because the falling prices of oil and gas meant it had to sell its surplus renewable power for less than forecast, said City Manager David Morgan. The city had budgeted $45 million for renewable energy but ended up paying $53.6 million, he said. Georgetown was able to reduce the $8.6 million unanticipated extra to $6.8 million through . . . Complete story »
The ‘100 Percent Renewable Energy’ claim
If you want to establish your green bona fides as a unit of government or an organization these days, claiming to use 100 percent renewable energy is a great way to do it. While such claims might have some relevance in terms of economics, I’m not aware of any case where that assertion is technically true. The difference is important, so let’s take a closer look at a community and a company that claim to run on 100 percent renewable . . . Complete story »
Transmission is latest front in fossil fuels v. renewables battle
Two of the nation’s biggest power companies have opened a new front in the battle with renewable energy, targeting Texas transmission rules with the goal of raising the cost of wind and solar electricity generated in remote West Texas and shipped to population centers such as Houston and Dallas. Calpine Corp. of Houston and NRG Energy, of Houston and Princeton, N.J., have asked the state Public Utility Commission to change the way transmission costs are apportioned among power generators, a . . . Complete story »
Wind farm selling power to Exxon gets Texas tax incentives
The 300 megawatt Sage Draw Wind farm – which is selling electricity to Irving, Texas-based Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) under a power purchase agreement with the farm’s owner, Denmark-based Ørsted – is set to draw $22.56 million in tax incentives over the course of 10 years. The $206.5 million facility is covered by tax incentive agreements with government entities in the area of the farm, including a $14.76 million Chapter 313 agreement with Southland Independent School District near Lubbock, Texas, according . . . Complete story »
Windmill traffic causing road trouble for area residents
The activity surrounding the Hale County Wind project is further deteriorating the roads in its vicinity and nearby Hale County citizens want the commissioners to do something about it. During a Friday morning work session, Hale County Commissioners heard complaints from a few individuals who say they’re having lots of trouble getting down their dirt roads. Dan Houchin, who lives in the area, claimed countless roads across precinct 2 are damaged and the heavy machinery associated with carrying the windmills . . . Complete story »
Randall County wind farm project gets initial green light
The Randall County Commissioner’s Court on Tuesday took the first step to approve construction of the county’s second wind energy farm. Commissioner Bob Robinson said Wednesday that the wind farm would be located near Bushland. Robinson and Commissioner Buddy DeFord said the commissioners agreed to create a tax increment reinvestment zone for a wind farm, which would be built and operated by Northdraw Wind LLC. “We voted to create a reinvestment zone and give them a tax abatement,” DeFord said. . . . Complete story »
Montague and Clay County anti-wind farm groups hold meeting
The debate over the production of wind farms continued Tuesday night as Clay and Montague County residents met to discuss how they plan to fight off another project. One project is in the Joy/Buffalo Springs area and another in northern Montague County near Bellevue. APEX energy is working on the Bellevue project and a representative says they are disappointed to see the escalation of anti-wind activity in the area. However, residents Tuesday night said there’s a good reason for that. . . . Complete story »
Refugio County ranch land could transform into wind farm
A company is rushing to start a wind farm in Refugio County before a federal tax credit expires. E.On Climate & Renewables said it will produce 220 megawatts of electricity there by Dec. 31, 2019, the date the Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit is expected to expire, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT. Two years ago, the Germany-based company leased about 18,000 acres of land about 7 miles south of Woodsboro and west of U.S. 77 . . . Complete story »
County gives approval for reinvestment zone
After hearing from several county residents, Matagorda County Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the nomination of an area of the county designated as a reinvestment zone, with proposed zone area slated for a wind farm. Precinct 4 Commissioner Charles “Bubba” Frick voted against the measure. The formation of the reinvestment zone now allows E.On to begin negotiations with Matagorda County on the wind farm. The project was tabled a year ago and brought back to the table after the reinvestment . . . Complete story »
An uncertain future for America’s wind energy capital
SWEETWATER, Texas – Rory Barnes used to rush home from work each evening to sit on his front porch and watch the sun set over the copper canyons of the Brazos River Valley. But after 13 years of living in his dream home in central Texas, Barnes decided to move when he learned his neighbors had agreed to have several giant, white metal turbines installed on the edge of his property line, decreasing the value of his land and ruining his . . . Complete story »
