Luna County takes step closer to wind energy

An inducement resolution to pave the way for the Macho Springs Wind Energy Project was unanimously approved during a Thursday special meeting of the Luna County Board of Commissioners. The resolution is the first of many steps to help Oregon-based Element Power erect 28 wind turbines in Northeastern Luna County. The resolution outlines the responsibilities of each party for the project and, according to Luna County manager John Sutherland, it keeps the county from any liability in the event the project fails before the 30-year agreement reaches its endpoint. Before the commission voted, it heard a wide range of thoughts and questions from the public. Proponents and opponents of the measure were heard in detail. Local rancher Joe Bill Nunn came out fully against the measure, saying that by approving the proposal, the county is "helping the decimation" of property rights in the area. "Livestock production is still the second-highest cash crop in New Mexico and I, as a rancher, don't get any of the incentives these guys do," he added. The incentives to which Nunn referred come in the form of benefits attached to an industrial revenue bond, which will be the next step of consideration for the county. An IRB would put the project lease in the county's name, which would give the developer a tax-exempt status in the applicable areas. However, the developer will be required to make payments in lieu of taxes to the county and Deming Public Schools District to the estimated tune of $8.6 million, instead of $8.5 million over 30 years via traditional taxation. The company plans to build 28 wind turbines in Luna County and another 28 in Sierra County...more