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.
Landmen who once staked claims for oil and gas now hunt wind and sun
Carter Collum used to spend mornings shoulder to shoulder with competitors in the record rooms of East Texas courthouses, hunting for the owners of underground natural-gas deposits. At night, he made house calls, offering payments and royalties for permission to drill. Mr. Collum worked as a landman, tracking the owners of oil and gas trapped in rock layers thousands of feet beneath the earth’s surface and getting their signatures, a job about as old as the American petroleum industry. He . . . Complete story »
Drivers concerned about crumbling FM 604 in Callahan County
CALLAHAN COUNTY, Texas – In Callahan County, people are upset about FM 604 deteriorating. Some told KTXS it started becoming a problem back in February. Hundreds of vehicles drive down the road every day with most of them now being tractor trailers. People are blaming the frequent tractor trailer traffic for the horrible conditions. Drivers that travel down FM 604 regularly are posting about how bad it is. One person warning other drivers by posting, “If you value ur life and . . . Complete story »
Some Jack County residents to oppose wind turbine vote
Some residents across Jack County have this upcoming Monday circled on their calendars. The county’s commissioners court will meet that day to vote on a tax abatement that would allow a French company to install wind turbines in the northern part of the county. “For us Texans, it’s a very reliable source of energy too because if you think about it, for hundreds of years this wind that we’ve is amazing, a source of energy that’s been there,” said Hassan . . . Complete story »
Texas wind farm denied protection from Citi over $113 million storm bill
A New York judge refused to issue an injunction protecting a West Texas wind farm against the alleged risk of a takeover by Citigroup Inc. over a $113 million bill stemming from the winter storm that swept the state in February. Justice Robert R. Reed of the Supreme Court of New York ruled against Stephens Ranch Wind Energy LLC, which had sought to prohibit Citi from taking action against the wind farm based on its alleged default under a power-purchasing . . . Complete story »
Texas Senate passes bill aiming to counter federal subsidies for wind and solar power
While President Joe Biden moves to expand the use of renewable energy nationwide, the Texas Legislature is doing the opposite, adding fees on solar and wind electricity production in the state in hopes of boosting fossil fuels. Among the reforms of the state’s electric grid following last month’s deadly winter storms, Republicans in the Texas Senate have included new fees aimed at solar and wind companies that Democrats warn would damage the state’s standing as a national leader on renewable . . . Complete story »
Commissioners say no tax abatement for wind turbines
After eight weeks, the saga over whether to grant tax abatements for wind turbines in Bosque County finally came to a close this week as commissioners passed a resolution saying they would not allow tax abatements to wind development companies. In January Steve Harr along with other Bosque County residents began attending weekly commissioners court meetings to voice their concerns about what… To access content, please login. Subscribe to the Clifton Record or to the Meridan Tribune. Complete story »
Texas’ blackouts blew in on the wind
People once set aside their political differences after a natural disaster struck. They would unite to help those suffering and ensure everyone who needed help got it. Texans did this 3½ years ago after Hurricane Harvey. Millions came together to help their neighbors and, in many cases, complete strangers. Unfortunately, times have changed. Political outrage seems to be the new rule in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Rather than trusting the science and data, environmental opportunists have used the . . . Complete story »
Texas wind farms face billion-dollar losses from blackouts in ‘illegal wealth transfer’
Dozens of wind farms in Texas have been left reeling from billions of dollars of losses incurred during last month’s state-wide electrical grid failure, even though the industry played a minor role in the power generation shortages that crippled much of the state. Those facilities either shut down, under-performed or were unable to fully export power during all or part of a week of historically cold winter weather because of blade icing, low wind resource, onsite electrical supply issues, and . . . Complete story »
Clifton City Council approves resolution opposing wind turbines
During the open comments portion of Monday’s commissioners court meeting, Meridian resident Paul Hardcastle asked the commissioners how many people have been for the building of wind turbines in Bosque County. Most commissioners said they’ve had no one call them in favor of the turbines, but Bosque County Commissioner Precinct 1 Billy Hall said he had two individuals call him in favor of them… [rest of article available at source] Complete story »
Residents concerned about crumbling rural road during construction of Central Texas wind farm
Some Mount Calm area residents are concerned about the toll heavy equipment is taking on a rural road during the construction of a wind farm. A concrete plant has been set up just outside Mount Calm and one truck after another is making its way down FM 339 hauling equipment for the NextEra Energy project. “The problem is this is a farm-to-market road,” resident Don George said. “They have widened it with just gravel and it’s, at best, treacherous.” George . . . Complete story »
