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.
Turbine battle heating up
BEEVILLE – As one side fights to have the county offer a tax abatement to a proposed wind farm in north Bee County, another said that these towers will only benefit the few who have them built on their property. During Monday’s court meeting, March 9, more residents showed to plead their case to commissioners. Austin Brown, landowner in northwest Bee County, reminded that the wind farms proposed by Orsted affect more than the property where each is built. “Do . . . Complete story »
Texas grid fight may echo nationally
Texas officials prevailed in the first round of a legal fight that carries implications for the national grid, but federal courts will have more chances to shape the outlook of competitive transmission in the U.S. The Texas saga involves a state law passed last year as S.B. 1938, which essentially gives incumbent utilities first dibs on building new high-voltage power lines that serve the state. In February, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Judge Lee Yeakel issued . . . Complete story »
Weekend wind turbine fire leaves more questions than answers on public’s safety
TAFT – It was a normal lazy Sunday before area fire crews got a call that a wind turbine was on fire on County Road 3683, in between Taft and Portland. Needless to say, this was the first call of this kind that any of the county fire stations had received since the wind turbines started sprouting like weeds a few years ago. “I could smell an electrical type smell for a good while, and my mom smelled it too,” . . . Complete story »
Cruz calls out Chinese-owned wind farms near Laughlin AFB
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said a proposed Chinese-owned wind farm development in Val Verde County threatens Laughlin Air Force Base pilot training routes. Cruz spoke about the proposed wind farm Feb. 20 during his first visit to Laughlin Air Force Base. Cruz visited the base to familiarize himself with the its training mission and to meet with local military, elected and business leaders to discuss their concerns. After his meeting with the local officials, Cruz called the trip “very productive.” . . . Complete story »
Wind farm dilemma
Twenty-five years ago, I started quail hunting in northern Bee County, I fell in love with the beauty, peacefulness, people and the pleasant breeze even when the temperature approached 100 degrees. I consider myself a Texan, and although many of my generations have not lived on the land, my plan was to be the first for future generations. My bubble burst with Helena Wind Project, proposed wind generators in northern Bee County and Pawnee School District. They are not windmills, . . . Complete story »
Proposed $210M wind farm in La Joya ISD gains steam
LA JOYA – The La Joya ISD Board of Trustees voted at a meeting Wednesday to adopt an agreement for an appraised value limitation application submitted by a company proposing to build a $210 million wind farm in the district. Under Chapter 313 of the Texas tax code, companies can request a 10-year tax abatement within reinvestment zones. The abatement is intended to attract industry to the state and create jobs. The wind farm which La Joya Windpower and Terra-Gen Development . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine catches fire between Taft and Portland
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A video shows a wind turbine with flames and smoke coming out of it. It happened a little after 5 p.m. on County Road 3367 between Taft and Portland. Local officials say that they have no choice but to let the fire burn itself out. They are currently trying to figure out who the wind turbine belongs to so they can contact them to turn off the electricity. The area is being kept clear in case any . . . Complete story »
County denies reinvestment zone to surprise of wind farm company
BEEVILLE – The county will not be offering a tax abatement to the company building wind turbines in the Pettus and Pawnee area. This decision Monday, Feb. 10, came by unanimous vote of the court with their denying the formation of reinvestment zone, a required first step to offer the tax reduction. Eric Barnett, with Lincoln Clean Energy, had hoped the county would approve a zone for the future abatement to include an area encompassing both Pawnee and Pettus school . . . Complete story »
Pawnee school trustees OK wind farm tax abatement
“Without the available tax incentives, the economics of the project become far less attractive, and the likelihood of selling the electricity at a competitive price will significantly decrease,” according to the application. “The applicant for this project is competing against other developers who have been offered or are in the process of applying for value limitation agreements with other school districts." Complete story »
SWEPCO wrong on wind power
I wholeheartedly disagree with Carey Sullivan that there is “no downside” to the project and disagree with the direction AEP Southwestern Electric Power Co. is headed regarding the increase of wind and solar energy in its power mix (news story, Jan. 17). It is being pushed by ardent environmentalists to embrace renewables regardless of the outcome. A mix of power sources including renewables is beneficial. However, wind and solar are not possible without being fully backed up by a reliable . . . Complete story »
