Has anyone dealt with reinvestment zones for wind turbine projects? My commissioners have been approached by a developer seeking tax abatements for a wind farm. I'd like to know what kind of terms other counties have agreed to when dealing with these projects. Mostly, I just want to avoid getting hosed. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I think Pecos County might have done something like this a few years ago. You might try there.

oops - Chicago already took that, didn't they!

We have several wind farms, as do Scurry and Taylor counties. E-mail me and I'll send you what I have...

Lisa L. Peterson
Nolan County Attorney

Can you be more specific? The agreements themselves? The numbers of abatement? I had my son do a Excel spreadsheet showing the interplay between abatement and depreciation and how the two intersect. Would that be helpful?

John Hutchison,
CA
Hansford County, 806 659 3703

I have some if you need them. We get annual payments in exchange for the abatement, Amount depends on the size of the project.
typically it works out to an effective abatement of about 75% or so, and provides a know income stream for the county during the term of the abatement.
Mike Hartman
scurryca@snydertex.com