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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Demolition crews knock down damaged wind turbine
A windmill turbine damaged by a fire earlier this year in Portland was knocked down Monday afternoon. A video of the demolition was shared on social media by San Patricio County Sheriff Oscar Rivera. “The 1st blast was unsuccessful but the 2nd took it down,” he said in the post. The windmill turbine caught fire on Feb. 23. Local officials said at the time that they had no choice but to let the fire burn itself out. No injuries were . . . Complete story »
Semi-trailer truck carrying wind turbine equipment flips on State HWY 44; One in hospital
A semi-tractor-trailer truck carrying wind turbine equipment rolled over on Texas State Highway 44 sending one to the hospital Saturday. Sgt. Nathan Brandley, a spokesman for the Texas Dept. of Public Safety, said the wreck occurred at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday near State Highway 359 and State Highway 44 eastbound outside of Alice city limits. The driver of the semi-tractor-trailer truck was rescued from the vehicle and Halo-flighted to a hospital in Corpus Christi. The driver had non-life threatening injuries, . . . Complete story »
Rep. Dan Crenshaw calls wind and solar energy ‘silly solutions’ to climate change
U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw on Thursday criticized the emphasis on developing wind and solar energy to combat climate change, saying the people advocating it are being disingenuous and not really looking to reduce emissions. The Houston Republican said instead of promoting ideas to really reduce emissions, advocates are more for a “religious adherence to solar and wind.” “Nuclear would be a far better energy resource than solar and wind if they cared about zero emissions,” Crenshaw said at a virtual . . . Complete story »
Big Spring man dies in fall from Tom Green County wind turbine
SAN ANGELO, TX – Deputies with the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday were dispatched to the Langford Wind Power Farm, located in the 11000 block of Allen Road near Christoval, TX. in reference to an accidental fall victim. The victim, identified as 39 year old Aaron Scott Johnson of Big Spring was pronounced deceased at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office at this time. Next of kin have been notified. . . . Complete story »
Attorney claims Webb CISD board members profited from contract
Rodriguez adds that after disclosing a conflict of interest with the Javelina Wind Energy project, the Marshalls voted to approve the contract. “The evidence obtained during my investigation revealed that the Marshalls sought payment of $10,000 in exchange for their vote on a school public works contract and are illegally receiving money from their votes on wind energy agreements and turbines located on their property in violation of Texas law,” Rodriguez said in a statement to LMT. Complete story »
Tax abatement agreement started earlier than expected for Hale Wind Farm
A tax abatement agreement for the wind farm near Petersburg began a year earlier than anticipated when the agreement was developed. Hale County is now set to receive a payment of $956,000 from Southwestern Public Service to catch up. County Attorney Jim Tirey said the tax abatement agreement was signed back in 2018 before the construction of the wind farm under Hale Petersburg Wind, LLC. SPS and ESI Energy, LLC purchased and closed on the Hale Wind Project in 2018 . . . Complete story »
Wind energy companies gaming the system at taxpayers’ expense
It seems that wind farms are fast becoming one of the true bumper crops for rural farmers and landowners in the Coastal Bend. Our consistent winds, wide open spaces and the pro-business attitude of our general population make our region an ideal location for the wind generating industry to build and expand. The wind energy business benefits greatly from state and federal tax incentives. In the state of Texas, virtually every wind farm has also negotiated lengthy property tax abatements . . . Complete story »
Keep enemy out of our backyard
As our nation continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and political unrest, we still have a broader global threat to be concerned about: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Guanghui Energy—a company owned by a member of the CCP—is attempting to gain access to the Texas power grid by constructing a wind farm in the Devil’s River area of West Texas. Unfortunately, the federal government is not moving fast enough to prevent it, and the state government lacks enough power . . . Complete story »
Chinese-backed wind project sparks Texas border brawl
A plan to generate wind power near the Texas-Mexico border is becoming a geopolitical flashpoint as national security and military training join concerns about wildlife and tourism. At issue: A Chinese-backed project called Blue Hills Wind, which could bring more than 40 turbines to Val Verde County, Texas. The proposal’s future is in doubt as the Trump administration ramps up criticism of both renewable energy and China. Blue Hills is drawing heat from wide-ranging opponents, including politicians like Sen. Ted . . . Complete story »
China’s Trojan horse real estate acquisition threatens America’s power grid
Incorporated in Houston in 2015, GH America would use the cover of a windmill farm renewable energy business venture to spy on behalf of China’s ruthless dictatorship. GH America reflects the strategy of Chinese general and military strategist Sun Tzu, according to whom, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” Complete story »
