May 24, 2017      2:35 PM

House sends wind turbine bill back to the Senate

The bill focused on wind turbines near military bases is not anti-wind at all, says Rep. Frank; opponents say it infringes on property rights, will reduce revenue for some schools

A measure that limits the proximity of wind power plants to military bases is on its way back to the Senate after some changes were made in the House. The bill restricts certain property tax breaks for wind turbines built within 25 miles of a base.

On Monday when the bill was laid out for second reading, Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, said the bill’s goal is to “protect our military bases from encroachment.” The bill on second reading passed 76-65. The next day it passed 134-10 on third reading.

Rep. Frank attributed this shift in support to a third reading amendment by Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, exempting certain projects and efforts to explain what the bill does. Frank said the amendment was worked out with some of the wind industry folks.

By Eleanor Dearman

Copyright May 24, 2017, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved