News and Letters
CONTESTED HEARING FOR WOLF HOLLOW III
On September 9, 2024, there was a public meeting concerning the air permits for a fourth gas powered plant in Hood County. The mayor or Granbury, Jim Jarett, the Hood County Clean Air Coalition, the County Judge, Ron Massengil, the four Hood County Commissioners, along with approximately 150 Hood County residents, asked that the air permits be denied for this -----
In Precinct 2 of Hood County, there is DeCordova Steam Plant. Adjacent to it is DeCordova Energy Storage facility (lithium batteries). Approximately three miles from these two facilities by Lake Granbury, there are two other gas powered plants, Wolf Hollow I and Wolf Hollow II. There is also a bit coin mining operation on the Wolf Hollow II property, MARA. The proposed new gas plant will be called Wolf Hollow III. There are two solar projects that are planned in Precinct 2 also. One is in the advanced stages of development. It is called Violet Solar. It will be over a thousand acres. The other solar utility is called Rain Lily. It will cover 810 acres. It will be on the bend in the Brazos River called Abbey Bend. At the public meeting, Hood County concerned residents were asking for a contested hearing from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The request for a contested hearing was granted on February 17, 2025. This is a 180 day process. A judge will hear the case between the affected people around the proposed facility and the applicant, Constellation Energy.
Residents are concerned about the combined toxic emissions of the four gas plants. There is no comprehensive physical air monitoring in Hood County. Air monitoring for the overall region is done in Midlothian, approximately 60 miles away. There is a Facebook page called Protect Hood County where questions from the public can be asked. There is also a website called www.protecthoodcounty.com. Donations can be made to help with the attorney costs for the case hearing. This is an expensive legal process and all of Hood County's assistance is needed. In our opinion, the State is asking too much of a rural Texas county. Hood County is being asked to energize the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex. Enough is enough. develop a roadmap for implementing new technology solutions.