Graham Landowners Wish to Shut Down Solar Farm Project
ELIASVILLE— Young County residents on Nov. 5 challenged backers of a proposed solar farm on transparency, environmental impacts, endangered species, floodplain maps, fire risk, stormwater controls, property values, relatively low job creation, and the lack of a single regulatory agency overseeing Texas solar farms.
More than a hundred Young County residents crowded into the Eliasville-South Bend Volunteer Fire Department on Wednesday evening for a tense and sometimes emotional town hall meeting on the proposed Titus Low Carbon Ventures Tapaderos Solar and energy storage project, a 300-megawatt development planned nine miles west of Eliasville. The meeting, spon- sored by Titus and moderated by County Judge Win Graham, brought all four county commissioners into the same room with residents who have spent weeks pressing for clarity on what the project would mean for their land, safety, and taxes.
The county scheduled the meeting as part of ongoing talks with Titus LCV, which has requested a 10-year tax abatement for the project. The abatement—applicable only after the commercial operation date, estimated for late 2028—would reduce county taxes on the solar facility under Chapter 312 reinvestment- zone rules. The project is expected to benefit Young County, Woodson ISD, and the Graham Regional Medical Center Hospital District by expanding the local tax base once the abatement expires.
Titus representatives Robert Peña, a tax consultant, and Micah Nichols, Senior Director of Engineering, faced a barrage of questions for nearly two hours. Judge Graham guided the exchange as residents repeatedly challenged Titus’s assurances, with many asking for firmer commitments and more transparency..
Mr. Nichols said construction would begin in the fourth quarter of 2027, take about a year, and create between 100 and 150 jobs during peak construction. Permanent staffing would be minimal— typically one or two full-time positions— which raised the sharpest questions of the evening when residents asked why a project producing so few local jobs should receive any tax break at all.
The proposed facility would use approximately 1,400 acres of the 2,200 acres leased, with the remaining acreage serving as a buffer. The expected lifespan is 40 to 50 years, and Titus will be required to post a decommissioning bond to ensure full removal of equipment and restoration of land at the end of the project.
Questions also veered into technical terrain. Residents requested specifics on Phase One environmental reports, hydrology studies, wildlife surveys, and hazardous materials plans. Mr. Peña said Titus plans to begin its environmental study process in early 2026 and will work with state and federal wildlife agencies if protected species are documented on site. Residents shared sightings of bald eagles and asked Titus to include them in its assessments.
Transparency became a central point of contention. Residents demanded broader public notice and easier access to project documents. After several exchanges, Mr. Nichols pledged to provide notices through county bulletin boards, local newspapers, and community venues, acknowledging that “when people are unaware, our minds go everywhere.”
Tension occasionally flared as residents voiced concerns about longterm impacts on property values and quality of life. One resident asked how many attendees opposed the project, and a majority of hands rose— prompting murmurs and nods across the room.
Judge Graham closed the meeting by reminding attendees that no abatement has been approved and negotiations are ongoing. He encouraged residents to continue asking questions and said Titus would be sending additional documentation to the county for public review.