TLOW says on its website that its mission is to unite "landowners as they work to protect their land, property values and legacies against the destructive impact of the wind and solar installations.” | Adobe Stock
TLOW says on its website that its mission is to unite "landowners as they work to protect their land, property values and legacies against the destructive impact of the wind and solar installations.” | Adobe Stock
Texas landowners opposed to abatements and other supports for renewable energy companies are speaking against a plan for a major solar panel operation in Brown County.
Representatives from the Texas Landowners Opposing Wind (TLOW) have argued against a proposed plan by the California company Intersect to build the Radiant Solar project.
The company has requested an 85% tax abatement over 10 years to build the approximately 2,600-acre solar farm within the Brookesmith Independent School District in the southwest section of Brown County.
All of the Brown County Commissioners voted in favor on Feb. 8 to adopt guidelines and criteria on future tax abatement proposals, but did not decide on whether to agree to the project itself. County Judge Paul Lilly opposed it.
Scott KIllingsworth, one of the founders of TLOW, said his organization opposes tax abatements for wind and power companies, arguing they bring little benefit to the local communities and can cause damage.
"It is the federal aid and local subsidies that they require and receive, including the property tax abatements from school districts and counties," Killingsworth told WC Texas News. "They give away 85 to 90% of the tax value and provide very little revenue."
Further, Killingsworth said that after construction few if any jobs are created. There is a requirement to create at least 10 jobs that can be waived, he added.
"We are not opposed to the concept of renewables or green energy, but there a lot of problems with wind and solar," Killingsworth said, citing the environmental impact of clearing 3,000 acres for a farm that will last 25 to 30 years.
The aesthetic impact and on property prices, particularly from wind turbines, is also a major problem for those who oppose solar farms and wind turbines.
"We are not here to fight the battle between fossil fuels and green energy," Killingsworth said. "Oil and gas are part of life, not something that is in your face, and not something we are interested in."
Samuel Davis, a member of the Texas Land and Liberty Coalition, another landowner and rancher organization, spoke in favor of the project at the commissioners' meeting. He said renewable clean energy is "a key force for economic growth in Texas, especially rural areas of our state."
According to figures released by Intersect, over the 10-year agreement the company will pay approximately $6.5 million in taxes, $1.4 million to Brown County and $5.1 million to the Brookesmith school district.
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