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by Aby Molina
A proposed 1,400-acre solar farm in Potter County has sparked concerns among local homeowners about potential impacts on property values. (Aby Molina/KVII)
AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — A proposed 1,400-acre solar farm in Potter County has sparked concerns among local homeowners about potential impacts on property values.
A subsidiary of Xcel Energy has filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas to construct several new generation projects, including one planned just north of Amarillo near West Cherry Avenue.
Taylor Brewster, a homeowner in the affected area, expressed her worries: "How do you sell a home that goes from this view to a backyard of solar panels and glare and fences and electrical wires? People don't want that. I don't want that. I wouldn't want to buy a home that had that. So I'm concerned about what to do if this comes in? Is this going to be my permanent home forever?"
Her father, Terry Petigo, who also resides in the neighborhood, shared their attempts to seek answers from Xcel and Potter County commissioners.
"Talk to one of the commissioners, he said, we really don't have any power to tell somebody they can't build that there unless we're giving them tax benefits. So somebody can sell their land to whomever, and whomever can put what they want on it. They're out in the country, which kind of surprised us. And we're like, well, what do you do? Because in many people, their homes are their biggest investment or one of the biggest investments," Petigo said.
Brewster also noted the limited notification from Xcel, saying, "Which is frustrating too, because they have told us when I called that we need about 10% of the area to fight against it, and they'll most likely go away. But how can 10% fight it when they haven't even notified 10%?"
Xcel Energy was unavailable for an interview, but a spokesperson stated, "The CCN filing is our first public notification to landowners. There is a chance notices might still be in the mail, as they were sent late last week. We haven’t had the opportunity to host landowner meetings yet, but we will in the near future. We will have plenty of time to engage with landowners, have conversations, and answer questions about the proposed project. We value our landowners’ engagement, and that’s why we send notices out."
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