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Starr County approves tax abatement for planned 200-MW Bessie Energy battery storage project
Summary
Starr County Commissioners approved a tax abatement agreement for Bessie Energy Storage LLC after a public hearing and closed-session negotiations; the project is described as a 200 MW battery storage facility, estimated at $135 million, planned to begin construction in 2027 and enter commercial operation in 2028.
Starr County Commissioners approved a tax abatement agreement for Bessie Energy Storage LLC on Monday, June 8, following a public hearing and an executive-session negotiation. The court voted to approve the agreement "pending negotiating the abatement agreement" between the industrial foundation and Bessie Energy Storage, and the motion carried on a voice vote.
County staff told the court the project is a 200-megawatt battery storage facility with a minimum guaranteed capacity of 150 megawatts and estimated improvements of $135 million. Staff told commissioners construction is anticipated to begin in 2027 with commercial operation expected in 2028. "This is a 200 megawatt value project with a minimum guaranteed capacity of 150 megawws," a staff presenter told the court during the public hearing.
During the hearing commissioners and attendees asked about site and access. Staff said the site is on La Morita Road off Highway 755 north, occupies about 40 acres and lies outside city jurisdiction; staff added it is "less than three miles off the highway on the south side." Staff also said the county will require a road use agreement obligating the company to maintain and, if necessary, improve La Morita Road during construction to protect ranchers, farmers and other local users.
Company representatives, identified in the meeting only as "Emma" and other company representatives, were present for the public hearing, and staff said the company has been receptive to negotiating payment and maintenance terms. The court received the presentation, heard public questions about location and road impacts, recessed into executive session for economic-development negotiations and returned to open session to approve the abatement.
The court approved the abatement motion after returning from executive session; the transcript records the action as approved by voice vote but does not record individual roll-call tallies. Court proceedings also included routine approvals: minutes and claims were approved earlier in the morning, the court approved a housing-authority item, a resolution to apply to the department of aging for nutrition programs (application due June 30), canvassed the May 26 runoff election, approved two street-renaming resolutions requested by the city of Roma and adopted several budget amendments and a budget correction.
The tax abatement approval was recorded as subject to final negotiation between the industrial foundation and Bessie Energy Storage. The court also approved salary adjustments discussed in executive session and received informational reports on insurance coverage and economic-development negotiations. No dollar amounts for the abatement or the precise abatement schedule were provided in the public transcript; staff indicated negotiations on payment terms were ongoing.
Next steps: staff indicated negotiations and finalization of the abatement agreement will continue; the court did not set a public date for final execution of the abatement in the transcript.
