AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Xcel Energy has officially withdrawn its proposed solar farm project in Potter County after more than 60 complaints were filed with the Public Utility Commission and following a heated community meeting with residents.
The utility company announced it would not be moving forward with the more than $600 million project, known as the Oneida 2 Solar Project, which would have covered more than 1,300 acres in the Rolling Hills neighborhood.
“Xcel Energy is withdrawing the Oneida 2 solar project from its current regulatory proceedings in both Texas and New Mexico and will not be building the project in the Rolling Hills neighborhood,” the company said in a statement. “The company will continue to evaluate whether there is another location within Potter County, or elsewhere, to locate the solar project.”
The proposed solar farm was part of eight new generation resources Xcel had told the Public Utility Commission it wanted to build. However, residents expressed strong opposition to the project’s location in their residential area.
“I’d still like to see a project like this, at least the tax from this in Potter County, just not in a residential area, so where it’s not going to affect people,” said John Coffee, Potter County Commissioner. “There’s a lot of land where that should be available, and I would welcome that.”
“I think that’s positive, I think they’re a good neighbor, I think they want to be a good neighbor, and this just was not the right fit, and I think they realize that and commend them for doing that,” said Coffee.
Xcel acknowledged the community feedback played a crucial role in its decision.
“We are grateful that so many people from the Rolling Hills neighborhood shared their concerns about this project because it gives us an opportunity to better serve our communities,” the company said. “Moving forward, we will ask for regulatory approval to build more generation sources to meet the needs of our growing economy, but we are taking the lessons we learned from this project seriously.”
Commissioner Coffee commended Xcel for listening to the community, calling it “a great example of company leadership doing the right thing.”
“Listening to the people, taking into consideration of what they felt like the losses would be to that community, and really just listening to the people,” Coffee said.
The company outlined its commitment to improved community engagement moving forward.
“Xcel Energy will take an active role, sitting down with landowners in Rolling Hills so we can improve how we notify people, and make regulatory processes clearer for those who would like to participate,” the company said.
Xcel also expressed appreciation for the community’s involvement in the process, stating it is “appreciative of Pleasant Valley Methodist Church for hosting this week’s public meeting and the Rolling Hills neighborhood for giving us the feedback we needed to make this decision about the Oneida 2 solar project.”
The company said it will provide updates if the project is moved to another site and emphasized its long-term commitment to the region.
“Our employees know the importance of being good neighbors,” Xcel said. “When high winds and severe weather hit the Texas Panhandle, you can count on Xcel Energy line crews. We aim to keep the lights on because we know the importance of powering the industries that drive our region. Xcel Energy and Southwestern Public Service Co. have proudly served this region for more than a century, and we are looking toward the future.”
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