Saturday, April 27, 2024
A delay by the Commissioners Court on whether to create a reinvestment zone for a 4,078-acre solar farm in southeast Hood County is being compared to the time, decades ago, when local elected officials refused to allow a nuclear power plant to be constructed here.
Those officials, and many who followed them, regretted that move.
The Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant ended up being built just over the county line, and Somervell County has been benefiting from the property taxes ever since.
Could a similar scenario play out with the Yellow Viking Two Solar Farm Project?
Some believe it could.
In fact, a lawyer for Yellow Viking indicated that Somervell County officials and leaders with the Glen Rose school district are willing to work with the company.
Yellow Viking’s proposed solar farm project near Pecan Plantation was the topic of a discussion that lasted more than an hour at a recent regular meeting of the Commissioners Court.
The discussion included a public hearing that drew several speakers, most of whom were against the project or had concerns about the possible release of toxic substances.
Reinvestment zones are allowed under the Texas Tax Code. They are a political subdivision of a city or county created to implement tax increment financing.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Ron Cotton, who lives in Pecan Plantation and placed the matter on the agenda for consideration, said that the solar farm would be about 2,000 acres rather than 4,000. He said that not all of the acreage is suitable for a solar farm.
Cotton told the Hood County News that he feels the additional property taxes would be beneficial since the county needs to fund a new jail and better pay for sheriff’s deputies.
Dallas attorney Scott Deatherage represented Yellow Viking at the Commissioners Court meeting. He said that the company would be making a $169 million investment in Hood County and, with another project that has already been approved, the total investment would be $200-$300 million.
He said that the project’s construction would create 400-600 “well-paying jobs.”
Deatherage further stated that state law requires the company to post a bond that provides for removal, disposal and restoration of the land once operations have ceased and that the lease, too, requires restoration of the land.
The lawyer disputed claims made by some who participated in the public hearing and said that Yellow Viking representatives are “willing and able” to provide any information that county officials need.
“I’m concerned that people are getting up here and telling you things that simply are not factually true,” he said. “And it would be a shame to give up on a $169 million investment in this county on things that simply are not true.”
FURTHER RESEARCH
Under questioning by Precinct 4 Commissioner Dave Eagle, Deatherage acknowledged that glass that encases toxic metals in solar panels can break, but only “under extreme stress.”
Eagle said that he preferred to “tap the brakes” before deciding whether to approve the reinvestment zone. Precinct 1 Commissioner Kevin Andrews said that he wanted more time to consider the matter as well.
In response to Eagle’s comment that the project is slated for 2024, Deatherage said that Yellow Viking must go through an approval process with investors and lenders and receive approval from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. He also noted issues involving the supply chain.
“All these things have to be timed very carefully,” he said.
Former chamber president and CEO Mike Scott, the last to speak during the public hearing, compared the proposed solar farm to when Hood County rejected the nuclear power plant years ago.
He noted that the CBS show 60 Minutes had just featured a solar-powered community in Florida that has hundreds of homes and never lost power during Hurricane Ian despite 150 mph winds and feet of rain.
He was apparently referring to Babcock Ranch.
“Not one solar panel was damaged,” he said.
Before taking his seat, Scott stated, “I’m just saying, if you want to do your homework, let’s do both sides of it. Let’s not light our hair on fire and go crazy about all the things that could possibly happen.”
In response, Eagle expressed the view that the situation with the nuclear power plant and the solar farm are not comparable. He said that nuclear power was a proven energy source whereas solar panels “are not proven yet.”
Precinct 3 Commissioner Jack Wilson made a motion to table the agenda item so that workshops could be held. Eagle seconded it and it was approved unanimously.
