As the clock approached midnight, Denton City Council finally voted on the Denton Renewable Plan, which would increase its renewable energy use to 70% but also include a whopping 12 new natural gas power plants. Despite opposition from dozens of local citizens who showed up, the plan passed on a 4-3 vote.
The Details
As we mentioned earlier in the week, the plan authorizes up to $265 million in revenue bonds be approved for the construction of 12 “peaker” natural gas plants. The four city council members who supported the project argued, the natural gas plants (~220 MW total) would be located at one location near the Denton Airport, and would allow Denton Municipal Electric (the city’s electric utility) to move toward more wind and solar by balancing it with the power produced by natural gas plants.
The Sierra Club and others argued that a better study of alternatives needed to happen, but it didn’t really happen.
Despite repeated questions about the need for all 12 plants -- and an independent study that suggested only nine would be needed to get to 70% renewable energy -- City Council failed to reach any compromise between those who wanted all 12 plants and those who wanted fewer. In a nod to the overwhelming desires of the community to get to a 100& renewable goal, City Council did add an amendment to the plan that would not only support getting to 70% renewable energy by 2019, but set a 100% goal by 2035, assuming that by then the natural gas plants would no longer be used. An earlier version of the plan would have set the 100% goal by 2030.
How They Voted
Supporting the proposal were councilmembers Dalton Gregory, Kathleen Wazny, Kevin Roden, and Joey Hawkins. In opposition were Mayor Chris Watts -- who argued for fewer engines -- and councilmembers Sara Bagheri and Keely Briggs. Briggs argued that the plan set the wrong path for Denton. Bagheri was particularly vociferous in her opposition, saying at one point she wouldn’t touch the plan with a 10-foot pole, which got a huge ovation from the crowd.
While Sierra Club is disappointed at the vote, we will continue to talk to Denton City Council and Denton Municipal Electric about other options going forward, including energy storage, demand response, and local solar, all of which could lessen the perceived need for all 12 new natural gas plants.