New Solar Farm proposed in Walker County
Dec. 7—The Commissioners Court received a presentation from representatives of D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments, regarding the proposed Piney Woods Solar Farm development during the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Dec. 4.
The proposed solar farm would be located off Highway 30 West on 1,500 acres that has been leased from local landowners. The project would reportedly generate 150 megawatts and during construction 250-350 jobs would be created to last 18 to 24 months.
Evan Horn with Ernst & Young and Andrew Sumrall represented the LLC and discussed the possibility of a 312 tax abatement from the County and the long-range tax benefits.
The representatives stated the company has been in business since 2010 and currently operates 100,000 acres of solar and wind farms.
Judge Colt Christian and Commissioner Ronnie White will continue to meet with the group pending finalization of an agreement.
The Walker County Annex was approved by the Court as an additional polling site, following the update and discussion by Elections Administrator Diane McRae.
The Court authorized the purchase of 13 automatic hand dryers to be placed in all county public restrooms at a cost of $10,363.
"There is a hand dryer incentive, which will cover the cost of the hand dryers up to $10,000," said Larry Whitner, Assistant Director, Maintenance Department.
The Office of Emergency Management was authorized to accept a $250 donation from Bill Fick Ford dealership.
The Court had a lengthy discussion on the fire alarm system at the Senior Center. No final decision was made, pending additional information and review.
The Commissioners Court held a 1 p.m. workshop with Director Craig Raborn and staff with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), a branch of the Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC).
Representatives from Huntsville City Council were also in attendance.
A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a local decision making body that is responsible for overseeing the metropolitan planning process and deciding how to spend federal transportation funds for capital projects and planning studies. Decisions are guided by information and ideas from a broad group of people including elected officials, planners and engineers, transportation agencies, the public, and other interested parties.
It is anticipated that by the next census, Huntsville will have a population of 50,000. This organization has studied the growth north of Houston on Interstate 45 since 1970. The MPO develops growth predictions based on permits, master plans, land development and patterns of development to establish their analysis. The Court discussed the advantages and disadvantages of joining said organization and a decision by the Court is pending.
This synopsis does not reflect the totality of the Court's action but a summary. The Commissioners Court meet in the Walker County Courthouse, 1100 University Ave, Rm. 104. The next scheduled regular meeting is 9 a.m. Dec. 18. These sessions are live streamed via Zoom or YouTube. For more information https://www.co.walker.tx.us/commissioners.
