What really stands out to Julie Morton, an energy sector easement analyst for 43 years, about the proposed $400-million Nimbus wind facility is the chaos the project’s developer Scout Clean Energy has caused.
“Somehow these Bahama billionaires think they can come to America and just ignore our laws and any regulations,” Morton said. “In Arkansas right now, sad to say, they can because we have no state regulations. And that is why Scout is here.”
Morton said Scout has set neighbor off against neighbor. She said their “facts” change frequently.
“They are obfuscating,” Morton said. “All of this is unnecessary—there hasn’t even been a customer identified for the electricity—and it has not even been proven that these ridiculously tall towers will even be that effective. And they have shown utter disdain to the very few government agencies involved. They haven’t finished the U.S. Fish and Wildlife permit applications for the incidental take of endangered species; they haven’t told us how many eagles these towers are going to kill. They are just moving on anyway.”
She calls it “breathtaking” that recently one of the company’s trailers carrying a bulldozer had to back down a steep hill on Highway 103 because it couldn’t climb the hill. Morton alleged Scout is hauling gravel uncovered, which spreads gravel and dirt widely, and is even moving Stop signs on state highways in order to make corners.
“They are arrogant and haughty,” Morton said. “They are going to do whatever they want.”
Morton said the landowner lease agreements are heavily skewed to Scout with little benefit to most landowners while their land is tied up for 45 years.
E. Richard Williams, a former county judge who lives on CR 905, said the area is being devastated with hundreds of forested acres being cleared. Trees are being chipped up, and piles of chips can be seen along CR 905. “How much carbon dioxide won’t be absorbed that these trees would have absorbed?” he asks.
Williams said that, to his knowledge, Scout has not received the permits needed from ARDOT for the exit\entrance to Highway 103.
He said Scout is now also purchasing land and driving up costs; land that was selling for $2,000 an acre was recently sold for more than $13,000 per acre. Williams also questions the reliability of Scout’s predictions regarding lease revenues and property taxes—figures that have changed.
Williams’ top concern is the impact to water sources from construction of the towers.
Opponents have filed a lawsuit challenging the Road Use Agreement signed by Judge Writer with Scout. Williams said the RUA discloses that the weight of the equipment and supplies to be transported exceed the design limits for the 50 miles of roads to be used.