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.
Comptroller OKs tax abatement for wind farm
PAWNEE – The state Comptroller’s Office has approved a tax-abatement application for a wind farm planned for north Bee County that could bring 60 turbines generating as much as 252 megawatts of electricity. Helena Wind LLC sought a certificate of limitation on appraised value from maintenance and operations property taxes billed by the Pawnee Independent School District, which approved its portion of the application in January. According to the application, the company proposes a 25,000-acre project area, which Helena Wind . . . Complete story »
County leaders mull wind project
REFUGIO – Representatives of RWE Renewables updated the Refugio County Commissioners Court on the proposed Blackjack Creek Wind Farm which would be located in portions of Refugio and Bee counties. The wind farm would be located in land that is part of the Woodsboro Independent School District, as well as property within both the Beeville and Skidmore-Tynan school districts. The company, which previously did business as E.ON, currently has a 220 megawatt wind park already located in Refugio County. The . . . Complete story »
Public Service Co. of Oklahoma’s wind plan takes flight despite Texas’ rejection
American Electric Power isn’t trimming its sails on its plan to buy three under-construction wind farms covering north-Central Oklahoma. Officials at the utility, parent of Public Service Co. of Oklahoma, said it remains committed to pursuing the plan despite Texas regulators’ recent decision to not approve a cost-recovery mechanism for the utility in that state. “We are disappointed that our customers in Texas will not be able to benefit from the low-cost wind energy the north central projects will provide,” . . . Complete story »
Deep in the heart of Texas, a Chinese wind farm raises eyebrows
The Trump administration will not block a Chinese-owned company from building a wind farm in Texas near the Air Force’s largest pilot training base, a person familiar with the decision told Foreign Policy, allowing a project to move forward that lawmakers fear could be used to spy on American troops, disrupt flight routes, and give Beijing a foothold in the U.S. electrical grid. The decision comes after an analysis from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), . . . Complete story »
Wind farms threaten unspoiled West Texas river and Air Force pilot training routes
COMSTOCK – Exactly how the Devils River got its forbidding name is lost to history, but there is little doubt the harsh terrain and fierce natives who once reigned here played a role. “It is far from any habitation, in a barren waste surrounded by hostile Comanches, but it is a beautiful place,” noted one early visitor. A century and a half later, the natural beauty remains and the rushing, spring-fed Devils owns the reputation as the last unspoiled river in . . . Complete story »
China’s assault on Texas – this project threatens US national security
Aside from gathering intelligence on U.S. border security operations and plugging into Texas’ critical infrastructure, China could use Sun’s wind farm as cover to collect intelligence on nearby Laughlin Air Force Base Complete story »
SWEPCO Wind Project approved in Arkansas
Southwestern Electric Power Co. has received Arkansas Public Service Commission approval of its request to add 810 megawatts of wind energy. On May 5 the APSC modified and approved provisions of a unanimous settlement agreement filed Jan. 24 by the APSC General Staff, the Office of Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, Walmart, Inc. and SWEPCO. SWEPCO president and chief operating officer Malcolm Smoak said, “We are excited for this opportunity to bring more clean, low-cost renewable energy to our Arkansas . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine blades cause traffic delays in San Angelo
SAN ANGELO, Texas – Shipments of wind turbine blades and bases have been causing traffic delays for San Angelo residents. Every week, 36 blades and bases come from Big Lake and go through San Angelo to the Maverick Wind Farm that is located east of Eden. The blades measure over 260ft long, 44ft wide and weigh 200,000 pounds. The midsections and bases measure 14-20ft wide and weigh up to 254,000 pounds. For this reason, they have to detour off US-87, causing . . . Complete story »
NTHA sends demand letters to energy companies regarding new wind farms
The North Texas Heritage Association has sent demand letters to two energy companies planning wind farms in Clay, Montague and Jack counties. Landowners are concerned the miles of large wind turbines will disrupt an endangered bird, the Whooping Crane, that migrate through these counties twice a year. NTHA had a study done on this and principal biologist Jennifer Blair found that these wind turbines would kill some of these birds Or disrupt their habitat. Forrest Baldwin and Bryon Barton, along . . . Complete story »
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 »
