Windmill company seeks survey

Board tables issue, wants more info

Jeff Davis School Board members want further research conducted before considering an environmental survey request from a sustainable energy company.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee, committee members initially considered the request for Vestas and Steelhead Americas, LLC. Vestas, a company that specializes in windmill energy, would like to perform an environmental and wildlife survey on the board’s 16th Section land. The company has expressed interest in locating windmills in the parish.

If approved by a committee, Vestas’ survey request would be presented to the full board for a final vote. However, questions arose as to whether the Buildings and Grounds Committee should be considering the issue, since the 16th Section has its own committee. Ultimately, Buildings and Grounds members decided to table Vestas’ request so it could be determined if another committee needed to take up the issue.

Dist. 8 board member David Doise said he would like to consult District Attorney Michael Cassidy, who serves as the board’s legal counsel, before any vote on the survey is held.

“We need to make sure the company meets the requirements to even get a permit like this,” he said. “We need to talk to Mr. Cassidy to find out what those requirements are.”

Superintendent of Schools Kirk Credeur told the board that they are not obligated to approve the survey request.

“This study is required if Vestas would eventually place windmills in the parish,” Credeur said. “This would show how the windmills would affect wildlife, land, farmers and flying services. But the board has the right to approve or deny their request.”

Doise said he does not believe the project should come to Jeff Davis Parish. He added that many members of the agriculture community are opposed to idea as well.

“Farmers and a lot of other people are worried about the ways this could affect them,” he said. “If you drive through places filled with these windmills, you can see why.”

"Farmers and a lot of other people are worried about the ways this could affect them.”
– Dist. 8 School Board Member David Doise