Dear Editor:
It was a great day, here in Erath County, as we fight the tax abatement and credits the solar company is seeking. The Commissioners Court untabled a motion from August this year and voted unanimously against the abatement request. The solar company had withdrawn their request since they knew it was doomed, but the commissioners were asked to make a vote on record, and they were in agreement. There was a great turn out of concerned citizens for this agenda item at the meeting and several spoke, it did not fall on deaf ears. I am glad our commissioners understand the agricultural nature of this county and their hope to preserve its heritage, not all counties are so lucky I am told.
We are still working on the Stephenville ISD board and trying to get them as much information as possible concerning their CH 313 tax credits with the solar company. This is a considerable sum of money and a huge decision for them since they will never lose any revenue from it, but the taxpayers will. The school district will be reimbursed by the state for the losses NextEra, Erath County, Solar, LLC., will create, in the sum of approximately $7.5 million dollars. This taxpayer money would be better used going directly to school funding than going to energy companies’ incentives, providing only 2 jobs and little power to our grid. They will also devastate our land and make it completely unusable for several lifetimes or more. They don’t seem to care much about that. Mining tax dollars seems to be their major priority.
How long will this solar bubble last, I have been asked. I wish I knew, but as long as governments at a local, state and federal level continue the handouts, we will be bombarded by corporations seeking profits at the taxpayer’s expense. Taking a stand it the only way to fight them. Ohio and Kentucky are two states who have legislation currently on the books trying to curtail these land grabs. We will be watching to see how that progresses. So, for now our stand is here in Erath County Texas. Join us for more information on facebook with our group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/erathcountystopsolarfarmshere
Joanna Friebele,
Land Owner