September 16, 2009

Commercial wind turbines are becoming more prevalent. There's a large wind farm in place in San Patricio County that is visible from the Harbor Bridge and from I-37 near the Nueces River.

Those wind farms have some in Nueces County expressing concern over the multi-million dollar industrial wind project set to go up at Chapman Ranch.

Today Nueces County Commissioners attempted to pass a resolution asking state lawmakers to come up with guidelines to regulate this type of industry. But as it turns out the matter was tabled in favor of more dialog.

Commissioners say dialog is needed since the commissioners claim there is a growing desire among some property owners in the Chapman Ranch area who want wind farms regulated.

Developer John Helm told Commissioners Court, "This industry is virtually unregulated. As with all unregulated industries unless they are held accountable they will work for the sole benefit of themselves with little or no concern for others that they may affect."

But President of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Foster Edwards took an opposite approach. "The message it sends that this resolution sends to investors and people that want to come to the Nueces County area the Coastal Bend area to do business is not a good message. It says we're not sure we want you here."

The vice president of the company that is building a wind farm in Chapman Ranch says the industry is regulated with FAA and EPA standards along with the state utility regulations. He says his investment is between 600 and 800 million dollars, and points out that size of an investment isn't done without scrutinizing and adhering to all existing regulations.