Xcel Energy confirmed Friday, Oct. 10, that it is withdrawing the proposed Oneida 2 solar project from regulatory proceedings in Texas and New Mexico, announcing it will not move forward with construction in Amarillo’s Rolling Hills neighborhood following community opposition.
Potter County Commissioner John Coffee said he met with a representative from Xcel Energy on Friday morning and was informed of the company’s decision to withdraw the project.
“This is truly great news for our community,” Coffee said. “I want to commend the leadership at Xcel and SPS for taking the time to listen, engage, and respond to the concerns of our residents. Their willingness to hear the community’s voice speaks volumes about their commitment to being a responsible partner in Potter County.”
Coffee thanked residents who raised questions and attended public meetings about the project, calling the outcome “the power of a community working together.”
The decision follows weeks of public concern and an Oct. 7 meeting at Pleasant Valley Methodist Church, where residents filled the sanctuary to question the project’s proximity to homes and Rolling Hills Elementary School. Neighbors raised issues about flooding, noise, wildlife displacement and property values, urging the company to find another location.
The Oneida 2 project had been planned as a large-scale renewable facility featuring hundreds of photovoltaic panels on privately owned land north of Loop 335. It was designed to support Xcel’s renewable-energy portfolio and meet rising demand across the Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico.
Xcel Energy issues statement
In a written statement, Xcel Energy said it will withdraw the Oneida 2 solar project from its current regulatory proceedings in both states and will not be building the project in the Rolling Hills neighborhood. The company said it will continue to evaluate whether there is another location within Potter County, or elsewhere, to locate the project.
“We are grateful that so many people from the Rolling Hills neighborhood shared their concerns about this project because it gives us an opportunity to better serve our communities,” the statement read. “Moving forward, we will ask for regulatory approval to build more generation sources to meet the needs of our growing economy, but we are taking the lessons we learned from this project seriously.
“Xcel Energy will take an active role, sitting down with landowners in Rolling Hills so we can improve how we notify people and make regulatory processes clearer for those who would like to participate.
“Xcel Energy is appreciative of Pleasant Valley Methodist Church for hosting this week’s public meeting and the Rolling Hills neighborhood for giving us the feedback we needed to make this decision about the Oneida 2 solar project. We will provide updates if the project is moved to another site.
“Our employees know the importance of being good neighbors. When high winds and severe weather hit the Texas Panhandle, you can count on Xcel Energy line crews. We aim to keep the lights on because we know the importance of powering the industries that drive our region. Xcel Energy and Southwestern Public Service Co. have proudly served this region for more than a century, and we are looking toward the future.”
Taylor Brewster, who organized the Pleasant Valley meeting, said she was overwhelmed by how quickly Xcel responded.
“I’m in shock — over the moon and beyond grateful,” Brewster said. “This was a definite blessing and a gift from the Lord, because that’s the only way it moved so fast. Huge thank-you to Xcel. They didn’t have to listen, and they didn’t have to come get beat up for two and a half hours, and they did — and they listened.”
Brewster said she isn’t opposed to renewable energy but wants companies to consider where projects are placed.
“I’m not against solar,” she said. “I’m just against building it on top of a community. More power to them — just not here. I’m so proud of this neighborhood. They linked arms, worked together, and truly lived out ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Xcel Energy said it will provide updates if the project is relocated to another site.
The plan withdrawal comes as Xcel continues expanding its renewable-generation capacity across the South Plains and eastern New Mexico. The utility plans to add solar, wind and natural-gas resources to meet future demand while maintaining reliability for industrial, agricultural and residential customers.