Says an accusation against him is meant to intimidate him and other commissioners
Gray Hodge, who serves on the Henderson City-County Planning Commission, said in a statement at Tuesday evening’s meeting that he refutes an informal complaint that accuses him of having financial interests regarding renewable energy matters in the county.
Hodge also said he resents the “scurrilous accusation of a misinformed individual; an accusation that I feel is calculated to intimidate not only me but also every person serving as a commissioner.”
As part of the statement, Hodge also made a motion and asked for two separate discussions and votes.
One motion made by Hodge was to allow him to participate and vote on future solar energy matters. It passed unanimously.
A second motion by Hodge was to allow him to participate and vote on any future renewable energy matters. It also passed unanimously.
Before the vote, Curt Hamilton, a member of the planning commission board, said he appreciated Hodge’s candor in bringing the issue forward, and added that it “needs to be said.” He said he was tired of the accusations being made on social media.
“We’re doing our best,” he said.
In his statement, Hodge acknowledges that he is interested in and “proud to be part of a group that is trying to integrate renewable energy into Henderson County’s future planning.”
He also wrote that his wife’s family owns farmland in the Robards area and leased some of it to NextEra energy for solar development. Because that transaction is complete and will not be affected by any future planning commission actions, Hodge wrote that he has no direct or indirect financial interest in solar energy decisions that may come before the planning commission in the future.
He also wrote that he recused himself when NextEra development was considered by the commission in the past.
Denying him the ability to discuss and vote on renewable energy matters sets a dangerous precedent, Hodge wrote, and he likened that to keeping a builder who may be on the commission from discussing and voting on matters related to all builders in the county.
The statement comes after many months of furor over renewable energy issues in the county, much of that in social media comments that discount the process that the planning commission is undertaking to create a text amendment to the county’s zoning ordinance regarding wind energy conversion systems. The planning commission will at some point write an ordinance and then recommend that to the fiscal court. Comments on social media often say that wind turbines coming to the county is a done deal and decisions have already been made behind closed doors, among others.
After the meeting, Hodge said it bothers him that there’s a perception that he’s biased or being unfair. He said he tries to be both unbiased and fair.
Below is Hodge’s statement.
“Mr. Chairman and fellow Commissioners:
Over the past few years, this commission has devoted much time to matters regarding the development of renewable energy projects in Henderson County. Renewable energy is a vital matter of our day, and I am both interested in and proud to be part of a group that is trying to integrate renewable energy into Henderson County’s future planning. I believe that our planning should be for the benefit of all citizens of the County. The Planning Commission worked earnestly to develop an ordinance regarding commercial and residential solar development. We have provided recommendations to the County regarding battery energy storage systems; and we are presently committing countless hours of board staff’s work time and commissioners’ personal time to develop an ordinance that is fair to all stakeholders regarding the development of wind energy conversion systems in Henderson County.
It has come to my attention that an informal complaint has been voiced regarding my participation in discussions on renewable energy matters. The complaint alleges that I am unable to make fair and unbiased decisions on renewable energy matters because I have a financial interest in the development of renewable energy projects in Henderson County.
Let’s address the 800-lb gorilla head-on. My wife’s family owns farmland in the Robards area, and they leased portions of their land to Nexterra (NextEra) Energy. At the time that the Nexterra (NextEra) development was considered by this commission, I recused myself. My wife’s family’s transaction with Nexterra (NextEra) is complete and will not be affected by any future actions of the Planning commission; therefore, I have no direct or indirect financial interest in any current or future matters before the Planning Commission regarding solar energy systems. That is the length, width and breadth of my financial interest in renewable energy projects in Henderson County.
The allegations that I have financial interest in any matters before this Commission are unfounded innuendo and untrue. I resent the scurrilous accusation of a misinformed individual; an accusation that I feel is calculated to intimidate not only me but also every person serving as a commissioner.
For what it’s worth, I feel I know a conflict of interest when I see one, and I believe that my conduct as part of this commission has demonstrated as much. I believe that I am able to know the boundaries of appropriate participation in Board matters.
Nonetheless, I am making a motion that the Planning Commission have two separate discussions and votes:
- First, whether I should participate and vote on any future solar energy matters which may come before the Planning Commission, and
- Second, whether I should participate and vote on other future renewable energy matters.
As I have no direct or indirect financial interest in any renewable energy matters, I believe a vote that would not allow me to participate and vote will set a dangerous precedent for any other planning commissioners on future matters. Consider: If a builder were a commissioner, should that builder be prohibited from participating in the discussions or voting on regulations that affect all builders equally? Should any commissioner be denied participation in any matter with which they have some connection but that does not affect them more or less than any other person?
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me to bring this matter before you and my fellow commissioners and for me to voice my concerns. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of a commission that dedicated to the future development of Henderson County in a way that benefits the interest of all both for today and for generations to come.”
