From Staff Reports
The 830 Times
Opponents of a proposed wind farm owned by a Chinese billionaire are celebrating the demise of the project after the Texas Legislature passed a bill that would prohibit the farm from connecting to the state’s electrical grid.
According to a release from the Devils River Conservancy, which began its vocal opposition to the project based on environmental concerns, the new law – Texas Senate Bill 2116, or Lonestar Infrastructure Protection Act – was signed into effect June 5 by Gov. Greg Abbott.
“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,” the release stated.
The bill was introduced by State Senator Dr. Donna Campbell of New Braunfels.
The Conservancy’s release explained that the wind farm first got the group’s attention because of “initial concerns” regarding impacts to the karst aquifer, endangered species wilderness viewsheds, private property values, dark skies, migratory birds and bats.
However, when concerns were raised by supporters of Laughlin Air Force Base and the ERCOT grid, which has been the target of the public’s ire since the brutal winter storm that crippled the state in February and the concerns that the energy grid could not handle the typically intense Texas summers, the Conservancy’s mission to reel in the wind farm was ramped up.
“Working with landowners and engaged citizens, we started the ‘Don’t Blow It’ campaign not to oppose renewable energy but ‘don’t blow it’ with inappropriate siting,” the release stated.
The Blue Hills Wind Farm was a project of GH America, an arm of the Chinese Xinjiang Guanghui Industry Investment Co., and was to be built on land owned by Chinese billionaire Sun Guangxin. The land, known as the Morning Star Ranch was to feature solar and wind farms. It is located on the southwestern edge of the Edwards Plateau, according to commercial property website loopnet.com.
“The DRC will continue to oppose wind farm development in Val Verde County regardless of the investor as we strive to preserve the sanctity of this wild place for generations to come,” the release stated.
