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Wind Power News: Texas
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission 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. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
Freight train collides with truck hauling wind turbine section: 2 killed, 3 injured
Two Union Pacific employees were killed and three people were injured when a freight train collided with a tractor-trailer and derailed in a small West Texas city, authorities said Thursday. The train derailed around 5 p.m. Wednesday in Pecos after the collision at a railway crossing, authorities said. Union Pacific, based in Omaha, Nebraska, said Thursday that two employees had been killed. Pecos Police Chief Lisa Tarango said the other injuries were minor. Although hazardous materials were being carried aboard . . . Complete story »
Opposition mounts against wind energy project
Opposition to the proposed wind farm in Fayette County continues to pick up steam. Apex Clean Energy has been speaking with landowners about leasing property for a utility-scale wind energy project. The company is targeting a 50,000 acre area north of Schulenburg. A huge crowd of about 400 showed up Freyburg Hall on Sunday, June 23, for a meeting of concerned landowners. Besides the aesthetic concerns about 600 ft. tall windmills dotting the countryside, landowners raised questions about the impact . . . Complete story »
Tragic electrocution at windmill farm claims life, Willacy County investigates
Tragic Electrocution at Willacy County Windmill Farm A routine day at a windmill farm located at the intersection of FM 1018 and FM 507 turned tragic when a man was fatally electrocuted in what has been described as a workplace incident by the Willacy County Sheriff’s Office. The incident has left the local community in shock and raised concerns over workplace safety in such environments. Details of the Incident Early this morning, Willacy County EMS and Bonneville fire crews were . . . Complete story »
OSHA to investigate wind farm death of Weslaco man
Federal workplace safety officials will be investigating how a worker from the Valley fell to his death inside of a wind turbine at a wind farm northwest of Dallas. 31-year-old Marco Anthony Portillo of Weslaco died in the accidental fall last Wednesday. Portillo was working with the Windthorst Two wind project south of Wichita Falls, and was climbing inside a turbine when he fell. Portillo reportedly was killed instantly. OSHA officials will work to determine if any workplace safety rules . . . Complete story »
Archer Co. Sheriff confirms identity of man in fatal wind turbine accident
The Archer County Sheriff’s Office identified the man who died after falling inside a wind turbine Wednesday evening. The man, 31-year-old Marco Anthony Portillo Jr. was a resident of Weslaco, according to Sheriff Jack Curd. Portillo was on the job of a windmill project entitled “Windthorst II Wind” on April 24 under supervision of EDF Renewables. When he began to climb into the turbine, he fell and was pronounced dead on the scene. The sheriff’s office, Air Evac, AMR and . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine fire in Nolan County
A wind turbine in Nolan County caught on fire Saturday morning. At 11:47 a.m. on December 30, crews responded to a turbine fire near the intersection of Highway 89 and 126. They also tackled some small grass fires. Ecca Fire Department, Mulberry Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, Nolan Volunteer Fire Department, and Lake Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, and crews are monitoring the area for any remaining hot spots. Complete story »
Stephens County property owners fight against wind turbine project ‘jeopardizing’ land, NextEra sites benefits to farm
A group of property owners in Stephens County is fighting against a potential project placing wind turbines on the land. The county’s commissioners will soon be voting on whether to give the wind turbine company a tax abatement, which residents believe will determine if the project will be completed. Zola George has about 320 acres of land he’s kept with his high school sweetheart since they were first married, “We’ve been enjoying that place since the mid-80s, I’ve taken my . . . Complete story »
Thousands of old wind turbine blades pile up in west Texas
Every year since 1958, the West Texas town of Sweetwater has hosted the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup, which is exactly what it sounds like. Thousands of the venomous ophidians are rooted out of their dens and brought to the Nolan County Coliseum to be gawked at, “milked,” and often beheaded and skinned. It started as a way for the region to rid itself of some of its least-welcome residents. Now community leaders wish they could do the same with several . . . Complete story »
Texas Land Commissioner commits to protecting Texas waters from 860 square-mile “wind farm”
As a ninth-generation Texan, I have always loved and respected our beautiful coast, its vibrant economy, and the hard-working men and women whose livelihoods depend on the preservation of these waters. Since taking the helm of the General Land Office as the first female Land Commissioner in state history, I have also had the immense responsibility of stewarding over 13 million acres of state lands, protecting our state’s open beaches, and providing critical relief to Texans in the aftermath of . . . Complete story »
Low wind could hamper wind turbine production in Texas
Some of the hottest days of the year in North Texas are on their way and energy experts say the state’s wind turbines may not produce as much power because of low wind forecasts. Texas leads the nation and even most of the world with wind energy production with 15,000 plus turbines throughout the state. Dr. Todd Griffith, of UT Dallas’ Wind Energy Center says the turbines account for the production of about 24% of the state’s energy grid according . . . Complete story »
