County moves forward with wind farm

SANTA ROSA — Guadalupe County is one step closer in its role to bring a large wind farm project to the area.

At the Feb. 20 regular county commission meeting, County Attorney Jesus Lopez said the county still intends to negotiate payment in lieu of taxes, or PILT, with Pattern Development for its planned wind farm and transmission line development spanning portions of Guadalupe, Torrance and Lincoln counties.

The county has formed a committee that will begin negotiating with Pattern Development.

PILTs are fees that compensate a government for some or all of the property taxes it otherwise would have to pay.

The commission will vote on a proposed ordinance to finance wind energy initiatives at its next regular meeting on March 19.