Sheppard AFB Officials, Wind Farm Industry Maintaining Talks to Address Concerns, Solutions

August 18, 2019

Officials from Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, other local military installations and area wind energy companies met last week to continue resolving concerns about wind farm developments that impact military installations, the Wichita Falls Times Record News reported.
The meeting, part of ongoing talks toward resolving disputes between senior Sheppard AFB officials and the wind farm industry, discussed topics ranging from improving communication and relationships between wind industry companies, DOD and local communities, improving industry technologies and more, according to the report.
There’s a balance that can be reached, says a Texas A&M University Natural Resources Institute (NRI) official.
Keith Graf, executive director of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, said wind farm impacts on military bases are commonly raised as local or regional concerns, rather than as a national issue with national defense implications.
The goal of the meetings is to prompt a larger discussion and encourage engagement in the early stages of wind developments, according to the report.
At the heart of the issue, military officials have sought to reduce the negative impacts to safely manage military air traffic and minimize reductions in effective flying training days each year, as On Base has previously reported.
Col. Russell Driggers, 80th Flying Training Wing commander, agreed that the discussions help in understanding procedures and issues early in the process, according to the report.
“This is not about clean energy versus the military mission,” he said. “It is about understanding each other’s needs and working together.”
The Federal Aviation Administration has estimated the number of wind turbines in Texas has doubled to more than 12,000 since 2010.
Photo credit: Times Record News file

August 18, 2019

Recent News

Three Leaders Named Defense Community National Champions

Three Leaders Named Defense Community National Champions

The Association of Defense Communities named three local leaders as national Defense Community Champions: Jana Evans, San Antonio Area Manager, Soldiers’ Angels, Alamo–San Antonio Region Elizabeth Hartman, Commander, American Legion Post 539, Eastern North Carolina...

Corvias Joins Certification Program for Healthy Homes

Corvias Joins Certification Program for Healthy Homes

Corvias is now the largest participant in a new certification program from the International WELL Building Institute that helps identify and measure ways that homes can support residents’ health and resilience, through factors such as air, water, light, thermal...

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

More than 70 community agencies and organizations in the North Country region participated in Mountain Meetup Thursday to meet with Fort Drum, New York soldiers and their families to talk about their services, according to an Army story. The resource fair was free....

Summit Preview: Closing the Gap in Affordable Child Care

Summit Preview: Closing the Gap in Affordable Child Care

DOD, Congress and communities are working to address the challenges that remain in helping military families find quality, affordable child care. It is one of the most pressing quality of life concerns service members report. The topic will be covered at sessions...

PAST STORIES