Hill Country Chronicle

Tony Gonzales has yet to start work as a congressman representing Texas’ 23rd District, but he is well aware of the interest district residents have in a proposed wind farm that has been under scrutiny.

“During the campaign, the Blue Hills wind farm was brought up multiple times as a point of serious concern to many Val Verde County residents,” Gonzales told Hill Country Chronicle. “As your representative, I am glad I am where I can seriously address these concerns. It is important that the concerns of Val Verde County residents, our local county commissioners court and city council members as well as the commanding officers at Laughlin be addressed. These local leaders know the area better than anyone and they take priority so I want the opportunity to thoroughly review the issues with this project that include risks to national security as well as effecting the Devils River area.”

Gonzales, a Republican, defeated Democratic candidate Gina Ortiz Jones 147,496 to 135,415, or 50.7% to 46.5%. Libertarian Beto Villela received 8,247 votes, or 2.8%.

Tony Gonzales | Submitted

Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican, chose not to not seek re-election after three terms.

The district includes Brewster, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Loving, Maverick, Medina, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, Reeves, Schleicher, Sutton, Terrell, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward, Winkler and Zavala counties as well as parts of Bexar, El Paso and La Salle counties.

The Blue Hills Wind Farm development has many in the 23rd District asking questions and registering concerns.

It is owned by Chinese billionaire Sun Guangxin, who controls the Xinjiang Guanghui Industry Investment Group, a conglomerate that includes Guanghui Energy and China Grand Automotive Services. Sun is a veteran of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army with an estimated wealth of $1.9 billion. He purchased 10 ranches with a total of 132,000 acres in the Devils River watershed.

The Devils River Conservacy’s “Don’t Blow It Texas” campaign opposes the wind farm. DRC President Randy Nunns, a retired San Antonio businessman and Val Verde County property owner, said widespread opposition to the wind farm has emerged.

“DRC strongly supports renewable energy and development by design. However, it is opposed to any wind power in the immediate region around the Devils River in Val Verde County,” its website states. “Not only will 700-foot wind turbines obstruct the view and destroy the natural beauty of the land, but they will also impact local and migrating populations of bats and birds, as well as disrupt the delicate and rich biodiverse ecosystem of the region. The Devils River is a true national treasure and wind farms would destroy the region’s natural beauty and environmental values.”

Rep.-elect Gonzales said he has heard from citizens who want to preserve the rugged beauty and natural wonders of the area, as well as more pressing concerns related to Laughlin Air Force Base, the primary training ground for Air Force pilots, graduating an average of 350 aviators annually.

“Yes, I am concerned because Val Verde County is a very special place to a lot of people but in particular to Laughlin Air Force Base,” he said. “I understand this type of project poses a national security threat to the United States."

Former CIA station chief Daniel N. Hoffman wrote an op-ed for Fox News to “loudly ring alarm bells” about a national security posed by the wind farm.

“In contrast to cloak-and-dagger espionage, China’s nefarious attack on our national security interests in the great state of Texas is endangering us in plain sight,” Hoffman wrote. “With a growing consensus on the need to confront Xi’s aggression, Democrats and Republicans must defend our home turf from China’s encroachment on our sovereignty, before our nation suffers the dire consequences."

He said the wind farm, with turbines towering 700 feet off the ground overlooking LAFB, could also gather information on U.S. border security operations while connecting to Texas’ electrical grid.

Gonzales said he knows it is a hot issue. His military service provides him needed perspective, he said.

“Yes, I think the Blue Hills wind farm project is an important issue to my constituents,” Gonzales said. “As a 20-year Navy combat veteran, the safety of our citizens has always been paramount.”