Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Palomas Wind Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners hear Palomas Wind Project briefing; appoint McCall to negotiation team
Summary
Pattern Energy and municipal advisors outlined the early-stage Palomas Wind Project—~800 MW total with ~230 MW in Torrance County—citing a preliminary ~$2.47 million funding gap and changes to PILT distribution; commissioners appointed Kevin McCall as the county representative for PILT negotiations.
Pattern Energy and county advisors briefed the Torrance County Commission on April 22 about the Palomas Wind Project, an early-stage wind development that developers estimate at roughly 800 megawatts overall and about 230 MW sited in Torrance County. Rob Burpo, the county's municipal advisor, said construction could start mid‑late 2027 with operations targeted for 2028–2029, and that an estimated $2.47 million funding gap remains preliminary until contractor bids are received.
"This is a decision point phase before committing funds or finalizing financing," Burpo told the commission, explaining the county will use contractor bids to determine the true gap and next steps. Pattern Energy's Taylor Schendel cautioned that turbine layout, final megawatt output, and the project's power purchaser are not yet fixed.
The presentation highlighted workforce and economic assumptions. Jeremy Turner of Pattern Energy described regional construction employment of roughly 4,600 worker‑years and about 150 permanent statewide positions; he noted entry‑level wind technicians earn about $59,000 annually. Turner also reviewed workforce initiatives including short micro‑credentials tied to guaranteed job interviews.
Burpo and Pattern representatives described a recently revised PILT (payment in lieu of taxes) distribution formula taking effect after 2023 legislative changes: 50% of school allocations based on turbine location, 40% on acreage, and 10% on student enrollment, shifting distributions among affected districts. Burpo said the county currently expects a county/schools split of approximately 60.81%/39.19% under the proposal.
To streamline ongoing talks with the developer, County Manager Jordan Barela asked the commission to appoint a single commissioner to the county negotiation team. Commissioner Kevin McCall volunteered and was appointed unanimously by roll call vote (Schwebach, McCall, Jaramillo: Yes). Barela said the representative role is intended to enable more frequent, flexible negotiation meetings without requiring a full commission quorum.
Commissioners and presenters emphasized remaining risks: transmission constraints, the absence of a confirmed power buyer, the preliminary nature of cost estimates (including an estimated ~$866 million IRB financing figure), and workforce pipeline uncertainty. Presenters identified further procedural steps including inducement resolution, a possible notice of intent, and an ordinance before any final approvals.
The commission did not vote on project financing or inducement at the meeting; presenters and staff said formal actions will return after negotiation and additional documentation.
