HENDERSON COUNTY–After a public hearing, Henderson County Commissioners’ Court voted Dec. 12 to approve applications for the designation of two planned battery storage facilities in the county as Tax Reinvestment Zones. The court learned the facilities are designed to alleviate strain on the state’s power grid.
County Judge Wade McKinney said the Tanzanite Storage site is 12 acres in size while the BT McGee Solar site encompasses 20 acres. The next step in two weeks is the finalization of the agreements, the county judge said.
Belltown Power Texas Chief Operating Officer Lloyd Pope, who said his company is the developer of the projects (he said BT McGee Solar is not a solar farm), stated the battery storage facilities will stabilize the state’s power grid in times of emergency.
Pope said such facilities are being built around Texas – with fewer than 50 built now, he said – but Pope remarked there are plans to have a total of 500-1,000 over the next few years. He said during times of grid strain, these facilities can kick on to relieve grid problems.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Chuck McHam said payroll will be $2 million-$4 million during construction, while Pope said about $200 million will be added to the tax rolls. McHam said the land is currently in farm use and that the facilities will not be an eyesore like solar panels.
“These things provide power when power is needed,” said Pope, who earlier stated the projects will be about 400 megawatts of electrical capacity. “That is what they’re designed to do.” Pope added the facilities will be located near power substations “to inject the power.”
In other business, the court:
• Approved a request from the Henderson County Tax Assessor-Collector for a refund of overpayment of taxes, which includes two refund checks totaling $23,104.75.
• Approved a Facilities Use Agreement with the Henderson County HELP Center to host voting, instead of The Texan facility, both located in Athens.
• Approved an Interlocal Agreement with Malakoff ISD (MISD) for the Henderson County Crimes Against Children’s Task Force, which Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said is MISD’s second annual agreement and which he said MISD has already approved.
• Approved a letter to Emergency Services Districts (ESDs) outlining statutory requirements and responsibilities, which McKinney said is the third year the county has issued such a letter outlining those requirements, such as audits, bonding for treasurers and the Open Meetings Act.
• After a public hearing, approved closing County Road 4533, located in Precinct 4, which Precinct 4 Commissioner Mark Richardson said is a short road south of LaRue surrounded by a single property owner.
• Approved paying fiscal year 2023 bills of $1,389,635.75 which McHam said includes a $937,000 payment to a company (McKinstry) for water usage and air conditioning improvements at the county jail.
• Approved an amended site plan for the amended infrastructure development plan for Pierson Tiny Homes, located in Precinct 2, which Precinct 2 Commissioner Scott Tuley said means more houses will be added.