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.
Farm reappraisal, a costly decision
The reappraisal of Akuo Energy wind farm in Val Verde County took center stage in mid-July, when Val Verde Commissioners Court realized the adjustment would represent a $400,000 reduction in revenue for the fiscal year 2018-2019. Other taxing entities will be also affected by the reappraisal. The San Felipe-Del Rio Consolidated School Board is estimating a revenue loss of $660,000 because of the reappraisal of this property. The school district has announced it is evaluating several budget cutting measures to . . . Complete story »
Turbines have Mineral residents seeing red
MINERAL – Linda Cruickshanks had little good to say about the proposed wind farm in Mineral as she spoke to Bee County commissioners at their July 23 meeting. “We all have land in Mineral so I am concerned about this wind project,” she said, standing with her husband and parents last week. “About three weeks ago we knew nothing about wind farms. But now we have done a lot of research.” The farm in question is proposed by Lincoln Clean . . . Complete story »
Opposing the wind farms: ‘Don’t Blow It Texas’ meets to discuss recent developments
A group of Val Verde County landowners opposing wind farm development here are broadening their efforts and say they’d like to meet with the Chinese owners of the wind farm properties. Randy Nunns, president of the Devils River Conservancy, a Devils River landowner and one of the organizers of Don’t Blow It Texas. a group organized to oppose future wind farm development in Val Verde County, spoke about the group’s efforts in a recent interview. “A lot of us that . . . Complete story »
School district’s budget takes $600K hit on wind farm appraisal
“The windmill fiasco adversely affects the district,” [Superintendent Dr. Carlos] Rios said. “Where we’re having to reduce right now is on the teacher side because that’s the only place we can reduce. These are services to students.” The student-teacher ratio at these campuses was increased from 18 to one to 22 to one, Rios said, to eliminate five open elementary teaching position district-wide. Complete story »
Wind farm asks for tax cut
A wind farm with 100 turbines, taking up to 100 acres in southwestern Refugio County, may begin construction as soon as late 2018 if Refugio County grants an abatement up to 10 years. Commissioners Tues-day morning listened to Rich Saunders of E.ON Climate and Renewables talk about the wind farm and its benefits. Saunders said the wind farm would increase the county’s tax base up to $250 million to $270 million. He said Woodsboro school district would see $2 million . . . Complete story »
‘It feels good to breathe again’: Local opponents respond to news of Wind Catcher project cancellation after failed Texas vote
Wind Catcher has no more power in its sails. On Friday, American Electric Power and its subsidiary Public Service Company of Oklahoma announced that they have cancelled the Wind Catcher wind power project after a failed vote in Texas delivered a fatal blow. The Texas Public Utility Commission on Thursday unanimously rejected the project as proposed, saying it didn’t offer enough benefits for Texas ratepayers as structured. “We are disappointed with the decision in Texas that resulted in the cancellation . . . Complete story »
Appraisal district to fight reappraisal of wind farm
A decision to lower the appraised value of a Val Verde County wind farm will be appealed through a lawsuit to be filed in state district court here, members of the Val Verde County Appraisal District Board of Directors decided Friday. The appraisal district’s board met to discuss its options regarding a recent decision by the appraisal review board to lower the appraised value of a wind farm in central Val Verde County. The decision by the review board represented . . . Complete story »
With proposed wind farm looming, Texas ranchers fear ‘change for the worse’
CLAY COUNTY – On a sweltering weekday in mid-July, it takes a dozen good cowboys on the historic Sanzenbacher Ranch to get the round-up done. Running more than 550 head isn’t an easy living in the cattle business. But Forrest Baldwin is far more concerned about the type of energy business that could soon be his neighbor. “It could change. It could change for the worse,” said the rancher. Look closely at the horizon over his 7,000-acre spread in Clay County, . . . Complete story »
PSO pulls plug on massive Wind Catcher energy project
The landscape of future electrical power production in Oklahoma may have shifted somewhat Friday. Public Service Co. of Oklahoma announced it won’t pursue further efforts to gain approval from state regulators for its proposed Wind Catcher Energy Connection project. Its announcement came a day after regulators in Texas rejected the proposal, which Southwestern Electric Power, Public Service Co.’s sister utility, had submitted to them. If it had ultimately been approved in Texas and Oklahoma (approvals already had been given by . . . Complete story »
Largest U.S. wind farm dealt potentially fatal blow in Texas
Texas dealt a potential death blow to what would be the largest-ever U.S. wind farm: American Electric Power Co.’s $4.5 billion Wind Catcher project. The Texas Public Utility Commission on Thursday unanimously rejected the project as proposed, saying it doesn’t offer enough benefits for ratepayers as currently structured. American Electric said it was evaluating its options. “Looks like curtains to me,” said Paul Patterson, an analyst at Glenrock Associates LLC. “Almost everyone was opposed to this. Barring any big concessions . . . Complete story »
