Centroplex News

A proposed 3,000-acre solar farm project in Bell County faces opposition from some residents as county commissioners have approved tax abatements for the project.

Meanwhile, the Troy Independent School District Board of Trustees discussed how the Big Elm Solar project that could generate millions in revenue for the district KDH News, and unanimously approved an agreement for consulting services to examine the appraised value limitation of the solar farm project.

“It’s a little premature for me to speak on behalf of the district...but it is certainly no secret that there is a considerable amount of revenue that would be potentially made available to the district,” Superintendent Neil Jeter told KDH. “It remains to be seen how the board feels about hosting such an endeavor. (The project) created a challenging situation where the board will make a decision that will make someone happy and someone unhappy.”

The school district could receive approximately $23 million over a 10-year agreement, KDH reported. , According to the Texas Business Coalition, Bell County commissioners have already approved tax abatements for the solar farm project and are discussing additional abatements. 

The Texas Business Coalition also reported on residents who object to the proposed solar farm.

Moira Davis, whose father lives in Bell County, opposes the project. In an interview with Bill Peacock, Policy Director of the Energy Alliance, Davis said she hopes the school board will vote against it.

"I think...you can be supportive of clean energy and solar energy, I just don't think it should be on prime farm land. I think that's a real issue," said Davis. "To give up 3,000 acres–that's a fair amount of land that could be otherwise be used for farming," said Davis.

Davis said she doesn't have an issue with people deciding what to do on their own land, but "I do have a problem when more than one, gets together, and in this case 13, that gets together and affects the community as a whole."

When asked about subsidies and tax abatements, Davis said, "It's like a discount for investors–I think that's what makes it attractive for investors." 

David took issue with a discount for large corporations, who are not paying taxes and are promising renewable goals. She indicated there is no need for them to have financial incentives.

However, she said her main concern is the "community and its future. If you allow one solar plan in, you're going to see more. It's potentially turning this area into an an industrial area."