Port Arthur council presses ahead with lease talks for Diligence Offshore wind project amid public debate over jobs and environment

Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Barty and the City Council spent more than an hour on Feb. 25 addressing public concern about a proposed ground lease for Diligence Offshore Services LLC that would allow development of wind and solar generation facilities on Pleasure Island.

The council and city attorneys said the item before them is a lease agreement, not final approval of construction. Council members repeatedly stressed that any actual construction, permitting and environmental review would come later and involve other state and federal agencies.

Councilman Trey Doucette said the distinction mattered. “The only thing that I, as a councilman, is concerned with, if we’re going to lease the property … then we should check that individual,” Doucette said. “When we lease it, the city is protected and not held liable.”

Supporters who spoke at the podium said the project would bring jobs, local investment and new revenue. Hilton Kelly, director of the Community Empowerment Development Association, urged council to approve the lease and allow the developer to proceed: “Why wouldn’t we work with Mr. Crawford who’s willing to lease the property, and then this will be more money in the city coffers,” Kelly said.

Opponents raised environmental and process concerns in public comment and on social media, including effects on birds, shrimping and community health. Several speakers asked for a public forum where the developer could respond to detailed questions; Council members said past large public forums had not resolved disputes and that the formal process they were following — lease negotiation, then permitting and environmental review — was the proper sequence.

Council members and city staff described the negotiations as ongoing but close to resolution. “We accepted that that was a good project when it was presented to the council. We never voted to approve the project because we don’t — we won’t vote to approve that project,” Councilman Mark Frank said. “He has to go through the process… That is the issue before this council: whether we’re going to lease this property or not.”

City officials confirmed outside counsel and the developer’s attorneys have been negotiating lease language and that the council expects a finalized lease for consideration when the parties have resolved remaining contract language.

Several commenters raised allegations of discriminatory treatment in the negotiation process. Council members rejected the charge that race drove their deliberations. “I want to put on the record that at no time has there been any racial discrimination with our decision making,” Councilwoman Tiffany Everfield said, adding that the council’s work has been guided by attorneys and by facts. Council members said any final lease and subsequent permits would be subject to written requirements and normal regulatory review.

The council did not vote on the lease during the Feb. 25 meeting. Members said they are working toward a resolution and planned further internal and attorney-facilitated sessions to finalize language before bringing any lease to a public vote.

Ending

Council members asked staff and outside counsel to continue negotiation and to return with a clean, fully briefed lease document for a future public meeting. Meanwhile, members of the public and local organizations said they would continue to press for meetings that address jobs, local hiring and environmental protections in greater detail.