Hello Friends,
We hope that everyone is staying cool in this Texas August heat. We are proud to launch the inaugural issue of our newsletter, The Round-Up. This will be a continual report of updates, events, and activities of the Texas Land & Liberty Coalition, along with all things renewable, rural economic development, private property rights, and Texas energy freedom.
– Samuel Davis, Texas Field Director
HIGHLIGHTS
West Texas Legislative Conference
San Angelo, Texas
Representatives from Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation (CTEI) and the Texas Land & Liberty Coalition (TXLLC) attended the annual West Texas Legislative Conference hosted by the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce. The event featured a robust and thoughtful discussion on a variety of energy-related topics with elected officials at the local, state and federal level. Read more about the conference: HERE.
Pictured left to right: State Representative Tom Craddick (R – Midland),
former State Representative John Davis, Advisory Board member of CTEI
Pictured left to right: Congressman Randy Weber (R – LaPorte);
TXLLC State Director Samuel Davis
Special Shout-Out to State Rep. Drew Darby
As the hometown representative, State Representative Drew Darby (R – San Angelo) served as the honorary host of the conference. Darby said at the conference, “I’m more of an ‘all-of-the-above’ guy. I know that renewables delivered more than they said they would. They can be an easy source of foils, but I’ll stand by renewables and what they’ve done for this region.”
Rep. Darby was recently recognized by Conservatives for a Clean Energy Future as a 2021 National “Clean Energy Champion”. In announcing the award, the organization said, “Representative Darby is fighting for a more competitive energy market that lowers costs, protects ratepayers and creates a cleaner, safer grid.”
Texas takes justifiable pride in its status as a world energy leader. Generations of Texans have understood that energy leadership means producing and selling the forms of energy that customers want not just today, but also a generation from now. Unfortunately, many current state leaders seem to have missed that lesson. To read the full Op-Ed by Dr. Michael Webber, click: HERE
EDP Renewables Launches Wildcat Creek Wind Farm in Cooke County, Texas
Join us in congratulating EDP Renewables on their Wildcat Creek Wind Farm reaching commercial operation. The wind farm is anticipated to disburse $38 million in cumulative payments to local governments over the life of the project, including $8 million directed to local school districts.
In addition, the project will also pay out a total of approximately $72 million in land-lease payments to local landowners, providing a stable source of income throughout the life of the project. On the jobs front, Wildcat Creek created approximately 250 full-time equivalent jobs during construction and will support 10 – 12 permanent careers over the life of the project.
Texas Land & Liberty Coalition Promotes
Samuel Davis to State Field Director
Our very own Field Representative, Samuel Davis, has been promoted to State Field Director. Davis has been with the organization since its inception in late 2020 and said, “I’m fortunate to be able to combine my job with my love of rural Texas and my passion for renewable energy. I get to wake up every day and help Texas landowners organize as effective advocates and empower local communities to take on a greater role in their energy future.”
The full press release is available HERE.
