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Starr County approves vast wind reinvestment zone, giving developer five-year option
Summary
After executive session the commissioners approved creating a reinvestment zone for a large wind project described as roughly 100,000 acres (with 55,000–60,000 acres initially participating), allowing the developer to pursue a property tax abatement agreement and giving the zone a five-year lifeline to activate land.
Starr County's Commissioners Court voted March 9 to create a reinvestment zone for a proposed wind energy project presented to the court earlier in a public hearing. The court approved the designation following executive session, and the action permits the company to pursue a tax-abatement agreement for the project.
County staff and a company representative told the court the proposed zone would cover roughly 100,000 acres in the northern part of Starr County near La Morita Road and Highway 755, with about 55,000–60,000 acres said to be directly participating in the project's initial phases. "The entirety of their investment zone is approximately 100,000 acres; about 55,000 to 60,000 acres are directly participating in the project," said Daniel S., a company representative (first speaking at the public hearing).
Staff explained that establishing a reinvestment zone does not obligate full use of the land. The court was told a zone gives the developer an initial five-year lifeline; if the zone (or parts of it) are not activated within that period it may go dormant or be reassigned prior to expiration. County staff said final terms and conditions, and any abatement agreement, remain subject to negotiation and subsequent court approval.
The court voted to adopt the reinvestment-zone designation after returning from executive session. The action was described by staff as a step that enables the company to move forward in seeking an abatement agreement tied to the designated zone; no final abatement agreement terms were adopted during the March 9 meeting.
Next steps: county staff and the company will negotiate terms of any abatement agreement, which would return to the court for approval before taking effect.
