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by Jamie Burch, ABC 7 News
AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Xcel pulled the plug on a proposed 1,400 acre solar farm near Amarillo after pushback from concerned homeowners and tough questions from ABC 7 News.
The Oneida 2 solar farm was supposed to be built next to the Rolling Hills neighborhood off West Cherry Avenue.
Worried the project would destroy their property value, Taylor Brewster and other homeowners contacted ABC 7 News.
"How do you sell a home that goes from this view to a backyard of solar panels and glare and fences and electrical wires?" said Brewster on Sept. 30 during an interview with ABC 7. "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?"
After Brewster reached out to ABC 7 News for help, we contacted Xcel.
Adrian Rodriguez, president of Xcel Energy Texas and New Mexico, agreed to an interview on Oct. 3.
We asked him what he would say to homeowners who are concerned the project would destroy their property values.
"One of the things that we try to do is to be a very good neighbor to our neighbors in the community," said Rodriquez. "This process starts early, and I'm glad that the neighbors are engaged."
On Tuesday, Xcel hosted a meeting to hear directly from the community.
"If it was your backyard, would you be ok? If it was you home, would you be ok?" asked one of the homeowners.
They packed Pleasant Valley Methodist Church to voice their concerns about the project.
During the meeting, they asked Xcel to build the solar farm somewhere else.
Rodriguez told ABC 7 News after the meeting, the company would take the feed back seriously.
Friday, the company told Brewster they decided the location was not a good fit.
An ecstatic and teary Brewster called ABC 7 News Friday afternoon after she got the news.
"I can't thank you enough," said Brewster. "This wouldn't have happened without you."
Potter County Commissioner John Coffee told ABC 7 News he spoke with a representative from Xcel this morning who said they will not be moving forward with the project.
"This is truly great news for our community!" said Coffee. "I want to commend the leadership at Xcel/SPS for taking the time to listen, engage, and respond to the concerns of our residents. Their willingness to hear the community’s voice speaks volumes about their commitment to being a responsible partner in Potter County."
"I also want to thank everyone in the Rolling Hills area and beyond who took the time to ask questions, attend meetings, and share feedback respectfully and thoughtfully. Your efforts made a difference, and this outcome reflects the power of a community working together."
Brewster said Xcel told her they would issue a press release on Monday, but they did not want her and the other homeowners stressing about it over the weekend.
ABC 7 News contacted Xcel and asked what made them decide to change locations and where that will be.
"The company will continue to evaluate whether there is another location within Potter County, or elsewhere, to locate the solar project," said a spokesperson.
"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 … we are taking the lessons we learned from this project seriously. 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."
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