Solar, Wind, and Carbon, OH MY!!
August 29, 2024 – Hopkins County residents have been inundated with the promise (or threat) of green energy projects needing thousands of acres in different parts of the county. Many solar plant projects already have been approved, built, and operating, but more solar companies are leasing land and asking for tax abatements. The green energy projects keep expanding and now include wind (huge windmills), Carbon Capture (C02...
Suspect Attempts to Flee Arrest At Stampede Solar Farm on Skid Steer
No Photo available for Jesus Alberto Alaniz November 15, 2023 – What turned out to be a very short and slow speed chase started in Saltillo as law enforcement showed up looking for a suspect wanted on a federal warrant for violation of probation. Supervisors of the construction company, IEA Constructors, obliged law enforcement in locating the suspect who was busy at work operating a skid steer. Once the suspect, Jesus Alberto...
Blattner Battles State of Texas on Damages From Building Solar Plant
April 21, 2023 – An investigation by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is ongoing in the Dike, Texas area in response to complaints from nearby landowners. TCEQ found during an investigation between February 22, 2023 and March 6, 2023 that the construction of the solar plant by Blattner Energy, LLC is in violation of the provisions laid out in TPDES General Permit No. TXR150000. Stormwater from the site...
Sulphur River Board Notifies Authorities of Damages from ENGIE Solar Plant in Dike
April 14, 2023 – The Sulphur River Basin Authority issued a resolution on March 28, 2023 as a result of their findings involving the ENGIE Solar Project in Dike, Texas operated by Hopkins Energy, LLC. The board found that the state’s natural resources within the Sulphur River basin were being impacted in a dramatically negative way. Notifications of the resolution including evidence of the damages was then sent to all...
Commissioners Approve Agreement Amendment, Expanded Reinvestment Zone For Pine Forest Solar I, Hybrid Projects
Axon Taser Agreement, Proposed COLA For County Retirees Also Receive Court Approval Hopkins County Commissioner Court worked through a full agenda in relatively short order this week, approving an agreement amendment and expanded reinvestment zone for Pine Forest Solar LLC and Pine Forest Hybrid LLC Projects. An Axon Taser Agreement and a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the county retirement plan also received Court Approval....
Good News for Solar Farm Companies
June 7, 2022 – It’s good news for solar farms across the United States as President Biden offers a two year reprieve on potential tariffs on solar panels imported from key Asian countries. The four countries named in the order are Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Reports abounds that these countries are complicit in helping China avoid tariff on panels headed to the USA, a practice fist describe in 2012. In 2012,...
3 Residents, TREAD Official Speak Out Against Solar Projects During Commissioners Court
Four people addressed Hopkins County Commissioners during the public forum portion of the regular court meeting this week regarding large solar complexes planned to go up in Hopkins County. Dike resident Michele Barnes addresses the Commissioners Court Two Dike residents who expressed disapproval of Commissioners’ decision to grant a tax incentive for Hopkins Energy, LLC, the solar facility planned in the Dike area and a third pointed...
2 Citizens Ask SSISD Trustees To Reconsider Stance On 313 Agreement For Dike Solar Farm
Developer, Land Owner Asks School Board to Amend Agreement As Requested Citizens asked Sulphur Springs ISD trustees this week to reconsider the district’s stance on 313 agreements, particularly amending the agreement with Hopkins Energy LLC. The developer and one landowner whose property is within the planned Hopkins Energy LLC area asked the board to approve the amended agreement. Tim Fuller (pink shirt at left) addressed the...
SSISD To Consider Amending 313 Agreement With 1 Solar Group, Application From Another
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees will consider amending a 313 agreement with one solar group and an application from another during the regular meeting Monday evening. SSISD logo Also on the May 9 agenda for approval are budget revisions for American Rescue Plan Supplemental Grant Funding, a Quality Improvement Application, a proposal or improvements to the high school student parking are, instructional materials allotment TEKS...
Hopkins County Set To Approve BT Solterra Solar Chapter 381 Agreement On Monday
Hopkins County Commissioners Court will meet Monday morning, January 10, 2022 to discuss and approve the reinvestment zone for BT Solerra Solar, LLC, a $140 million solar project planned in the Saltillo area. Also on the agenda is the approval of a 381 agreement with the solar company which will stipulate the level of tax-refund to the solar company as well as any PILOT payments to the county. KSST News attempted to get details of the...
