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Spencer Emmert, Sulphur Springs band director, led the Jazz Band in two numbers recently at the Sulphur Springs School Trustee board meeting.
During the Monday, May 9 Sulphur Springs ISD school board meeting, both sides of the 313 Agreement for the Solar Farm located in Dike were discussed. Residents of the area gave their opinion while representatives of the parent company ENGIE North America presented their case.
Ryan Economy, a develop with Hopkins Energy which heads the solar project for ENGIE asked the board to extend the end construction date by one year with construction to begin the next year.
Economy explained that work, including civil engineering at the sight along with water plans and other work demanded by the state.
He said the funding at the location could be a net benefit for the school district of about $1.3 million.
Economy said, “No construction has begun at the program.”
Michael Pickens, used his five minutes on the clock for public comment to voice his displeasure with the project. He represents the “Save Dike from Solar” group and said the planned area involved was a forested wetland. “I’m against it and lots of folks in that area are against it. It will lower property values and the school won’t see the money promised.”
Pickens quoted state officials who have voted against 313 agreements.
Michelle Barnes, another Dike resident and opponent to the project said she lives near the area. She said she did not know this was a concern when she moved to the area about two years ago.
“It will change the water pools, it will affect the environment and property values will change. We won’t be able to sell our property because we live right next to a solar plant,” Barnes said.
Tim Fuller, spoke saying he is in favor of the solar plant. “I don’t think people need to mess with what I do with my land. We need other forms of energy than fossil fuels.”
Garrett Peters who is with KE Andrews, tax consultant for Hopkins Energy for ENGIE said 313 projects have been successful. He pointed out that the project could mean a $90 million dollar investment.
Peters said he did not think the Solar project would have a significant effect on the values of the landowners nearby property.
During the meeting the school board, each trustee individually declared no conflict of interest in the agreement for the Chapter 313 program.
“I understand the situation with the land owners. The school board is not the place to argue the legality of this issue,” said Jason Dietze, school trustee. “Our purview is to look at the opportunities to benefit our students. This is a no brainer. We have to explore this type of situation because we’re doing what is best for the district. It is not our place to argue about zoning and other laws of the state.”
The school board approved the measure to give extra time for the project which amounts to an additional year.