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LP&L board member clears the air about potential conflict of interest, no wind farm at Reese Technology Center [Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Texas :: ](Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 16--Plans to discuss the costly Ashcroft report at a Lubbock Power & Light board meeting were delayed after a three-and-a-half-hour executive session, but board member Charlie Dunn did shed light on a potential conflict of interest. Jerry Bell, the Electric Utility Board's vice chairman, also serves as president of the Lubbock Reese Development Authority -- a fact that sparked Dunn's interest after the Dallas Morning News reported the plans for a wind farm at the Reese Technology Center. "(Texas Tech) will soon break ground on a large new commercial wind farm on land the university owns at the former Reese Air Force Base, just west of Lubbock," the article said, referring to statements Chancellor Kent Hance made in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. Based on that information, Dunn said he was concerned other renewable energy companies would shy away from approaching LP&L because of Bell's involvement with Reese. "I want to make sure we don't have a problem with other wind power providers being hesitant to do business with us," he said. Bell, however, said the Dallas Morning News report was incorrect. "There was a concern based on an erroneous report," Bell said. "The fact is that the property (Texas Tech) is looking at is outside of Reese -- to the north and west. It has nothing whatsoever to do with Reese at all." Bill Miller, executive director of Reese, confirmed that the wind farm will not occupy land owned by the technology center. "We do work with Tech on wind research but the wind farm is not on Reese property," he said. The former Air Force base, now a technology hub, does have a ground lease for a maximum of four wind energy sites that are tied into the South Plains Electric Cooperative grid, Bell said. SPEC's lease with Reese is designed for experimental testing, he said. "It is just a ground lease; it has nothing to do with anything that could ever tie into Reese because it is not there to commercially sell," Bell said. For that reason, Bell said there is no conflict of interest. "If there were a conflict of interest, I would address it in the proper way," he said. "I would recuse myself from discussion and abstain from voting. I would do whatever is necessary." After the meeting, Dunn said the vice chairman's response was satisfactory. "I will just have to take him at his word," Dunn said. Calls to the Reese Technology Center were not immediately returned. [email protected] --766-8742 Follow R.S. on Twitter @AJ_RSDouglas Other action ___ (c)2014 the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock, Texas) Visit the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock, Texas) at www.lubbockonline.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |