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.
Wind farm blows in tour from 122 miles away
Hinton, Oklahoma, just west of Oklahoma City, has been sued by a wind energy group to build wind turbines in their town. Now they’re turning to Sheppard Air Force Base for help. On Thursday a group of Hinton leaders spent Thursday on base for a fact-finding tour. Hinton Mayor Shelly Newton met with Air Force Officers to talk about what’s going on in Hinton, and the role wind farms have played on Sheppard Air Force Base and their missions. Mayor . . . Complete story »
Montague and Clay Counties warn Bellevue ISD against wind farms
Many residents in Montague and Clay Counties warned Bellevue ISD about entering into a Texas Tax Code 313 agreement. There have been debates at school board meetings for over three months all due to a possible wind farm project. John Greer lives in Dallas County but he and his family have owned land in Clay County for over a hundred years. He is a part of Clay County Against Wind Farms. Greer feels wind farms have negative economic and quality . . . Complete story »
Residents voice concerns on proposed wind farm in Clay and Montague counties
Wind farm companies have been looking to Clay and Montague counties for quite some time. Clay County Against Wind Farm representative, John Greer, told us, “The problem with it is, it’s an unregulated industry and they can get going leasing with nobody knowing about them, which is actually what they’ve been doing. this is probably been going on for a year and a half or so unbeknownst to a lot of people.” Like many in the room, Greer is a . . . Complete story »
Groups against wind farms to speak at Bellevue ISD meeting
BOWIE,TX(RNN Texoma) – On Tuesday Bellevue ISD school board members are scheduled to consider Texas Tax Code Chapter 313. An agreement where a taxpayer builds or installs property, like a wind farm, in order to get a ten-year limitation on that taxable property value. This one would impact Southern Clay and Northern Montague County. George Clay, a landowner, and member of the Montague County Heritage Association said he’s against it. “I truly believe that this is going to fundamentally change . . . Complete story »
Second wind farm blowing into county
ISLAND PASTURE – Bee County could see another wind farm coming to its southern side. Located in an area dubbed Island Pasture, 7,627 acres just 17 miles south and east of Beeville are being considered for development of this new farm which is causing concern for at least one nearby property owner. Additionally, 18,000 acres of land have been leased in Refugio just 12 miles west of U.S. Highway 77, according to a memorandum in the Refugio County clerk’s office. . . . Complete story »
Texas PUC delays final approval of SPS wind farm
The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday delayed its final approval of Southwestern Public Service’s request to build a 478-MW wind farm in West Texas, allowing the company and other parties in the docket time to provide written answers to the regulators’ latest questions and recommend further revisions to the draft order (46936). SPS said it could make a reply filing on May 16, clearing the way for the PUC’s final approval during its May 25 open meeting. The . . . Complete story »
Wind farm planned in Refugio County
REFUGIO COUNTY – Twelve miles south of Refugio and to the west of U.S. Highway 77, 18,000 acres of land have been leased for a wind farm, according to a memorandum in the Refugio County Clerk’s Office. As well, 7,627 acres are additional acreage that are 17 miles south and east of Beeville in Bee County. The area is referred to as “Island Pasture.” The land, owned by the late Kathleen D. Roche, was placed into a trust by Frost . . . Complete story »
More than $1 million owed in back property taxes to Nueces County
Revolution Energy, a Colorado Springs-based company that owns six wind turbines on the Nueces County portion of the Port of Corpus Christi, owes $38,899. Kieschnick said the company is currently suing the wind turbine manufacturer because the turbines are constantly breaking down which leads to little-to-no energy creation or profits. Complete story »
Texas regulators give go-ahead to Xcel wind farm project
AUSTIN, TX – Texas state authorities signed off on an Xcel Energy project on Friday that would bring the equivalent of five wind farms to parts of Texas and New Mexico. The Public Utility Commission gave verbal approval for the $1.5 billion plan, which paves the way for two large wind farms, with one located near Portales and one near Plainview. Xcel also plans to purchase power from two other wind farms to to be constructed in an area further . . . Complete story »
Texas regulators seek more details on SPS wind project
Texas regulators last week pressed Southwestern Public Service for more details to justify its plan to build 1.23 GW of wind generation even though it doesn’t need the capacity. The company and parties to a settlement over the project agreed to file additional written comments to its application for construction (Docket No. 46936). The Texas Public Utility Commission’s staff has issued a conditional approval of the wind farms’ construction, but the commissioners expressed reservations. “Where I am now, you’re not . . . Complete story »
