Wind farm companies planning to build within a 25-mile radius of a military base with an aviation mission are no longer eligible for tax abatements from local governments thanks to a new bill recently passed by the 85th Texas Legislature.
Construction at the Chapman Ranch Wind Farm on farmland south of Corpus Christi has begun, but not under ownership of Apex Clean Energy. Apex sold the project to Enbridge Inc., an energy company based in Calgary, Canada. Sale of the $355 million in assets was final Sept. 9. Construction of 86 windmills on 27 square miles of property outside the city limits began Sept. 12 under the management of the project’s former owners, Apex Clean Energy.
Apex had told city officials it would put a hold on construction until the U.S. Navy issues a report due soon on whether the turbines will pose a threat to either of the naval air stations in Kingsville or Corpus Christi. That report was expected this month but had not been released as of Oct. 20.
As the new owners, Enbridge decided to move ahead based on an August letter from the Federal Aviation Administration to the city council refusing to reconsider its official approval of building windmills in that area.
Apex had also earlier obtained a agreement with the Department of Defense and the Department of the Navy to begin the project. The Corpus Christi City Council and Nueces County commissioners had asked the FAA to deny approval of the project after that agreement was reached. Their request was denied in August.
“We agree with the Obstruction Evaluation Group finding that the structures would not have an adverse effect on the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace by aircraft and would not be a hazard to air navigation,” reads the FAA letter, which was signed by Gary A. Norek, acting director of Airspace Services, Air Traffic Organization, FAA. “In conclusion, we find that the OEG properly followed all the necessary procedures in making the subject determination.”
Objections to the wind farm have come from the city, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and the Nueces County commissioners based on the premise the turbines would create problems for the area’s naval air stations. They fear wind turbines could ultimately lead to closing either or both of the military facilities.
Apex Energy expressed confidence that the October findings will be another step in the direction of beginning construction of the wind farm.
“The Navy and the [Department of Defense] have determined that the turbines planned for the Chapman Ranch wind facility will not adversely impact their operations or mission,” said Dahvi Wilson, director of public affairs for Apex Clean Energy, in an email response to questions from Corpus Christi Business News. “The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that has been signed with the Navy documents this conclusion.”
Enbridge reported it had no plans to change the size or scope of the project now underway. The company, which mainly deals in the delivery of oil and gas, owns two other wind farms in Texas: one in Raymondville and the other in North Texas.
