Young County designates 300-MW solar, 200-MW battery reinvestment zone after heated public hearing

The Young County Commissioners Court on Jan. 12 designated a reinvestment zone for a proposed 300-megawatt solar facility paired with 200 megawatts of battery storage and accepted a framework for a 10-year tax-abatement pilot that would pay the county about $1,100,000 a year if the project is built. The resolution (Order/Resolution No. 1 32) passed on a 3-0-2 vote after more than two hours of public comment and technical questions.

The court described the structure of the agreement during a public hearing. "This is talking about is a 300 megawatt solar project, a 200 megawatt battery storage project that will begin commercial operations by 12/31/2028," Judge Graham said while reading the proposal. Under the terms read into the record, the pilot package includes a $30,000 payment at execution of the agreement, a $300,000 payment at commencement of construction, and annual pilot payments of approximately $1,100,000 for up to 10 years once the project is operational.

County staff and the prospective developer (identified in the record as 'Titus') also outlined…