Don’t Blow It, Texas
Dell Dickinson, owner, Skyline Ranch
Spain-based renewable energy company, Greenalia, is acquiring the rights to develop the Blue Hills Wind LLC project on the Carma Ranch. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), previously granted GH America the ability to develop the 46-turbine project until the Texas legislature passed SB 2116, also known as the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, effective June 18, 2021.
ERCOT, however, is allowing the project to proceed if the real estate is conveyed along with the development rights to Greenalia. GHA, controlled by Xinjiang oligarch Sun Guangxin, currently owns over 130,000 acres in the county with plans for more wind and solar developments. This threat has been highlighted by national security experts in Fox News, policy experts in Foreign Policy Magazine, and local advocates in the San Antonio Express-News.
The Devils River Conservancy (DRC) has partnered with the Lower Pecos Landowner Group (LPLG), and other locals to express their opposition to the proposed wind farm development.
The DRC and LPLG recently met with Greenalia’s C.O.O. to further educate him on the region and advocate for the continued preservation of public and private lands in Val Verde County. The DRC and LPLG are currently awaiting a response from the company following the delivery of an official letter of opposition sent on January 3, 2023.
The DRC supports alternative energy but says Don’t Blow It with inappropriate siting!
Learn more by viewing the latest press release announcement here.
Front Row Left to Right- Senator Dr. Donna Campbell, Governor Gregg Abbott, Representative Tan Parker Back Row – Representatives John Cyrier, Eddie Morales, James White, DRC Executive Director Julie Lewey, and Representative Steve Toth
MORE ABOUT LONE STAR INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION ACT
Texas Senate Bill 2116 (Campbell et al.), now known as the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, passed unanimously through the Texas House and Senate, was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 5 and is effective immediately. The law prohibits companies from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran from investing in projects connected to Texas's critical infrastructure, including the electrical grid and prohibits GH America from being the developer of their proposed wind farms. Read More Here.
While this is a win in efforts to defend Val Verde County against industrial wind energy encroachment it is not the end. Devils River Conservancy will continue advocating for the protection of this unique region and urging Texas to Don’t Blow It by placing wind farms in the wrong places.