Last week, the Texas Senate passed SB 277, an anti-wind bill that prevents wind facilities from receiving tax breaks if they are within 25 miles of certain military facilities where planes are flown. The bill, by Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), is being described as a bill to preserve the military bases in Texas by preventing certain wind development which could impact radar and flight paths. However, all wind development already must check with and get permission from the FAA, the Department of Defense, and ERCOT before they can interconnect any wind facility, meaning the bill arbitrarily punishes wind development, potentially impacting thousand of megawatts of new wind energy. The bill passed on a 23-8 vote, with most West Texas senators, where wind is prevalent, voting against the bill. Several south Texas Democrats with military facilities in their district voted for the bill.
Now it moves to the House. Please contact your State Representative and urge them to oppose SB 277!
Photo: Al Braden