PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A community meeting hosted by Diligence Offshore about proposed wind turbines off the Port Arthur coast quickly dissolved into frustration when the company representative abruptly left without addressing local shrimper's concerns.
Harry Crawford with Diligence Offshore addressed the room full of concerned citizens, but left the room and declined to talk to 12News less than five minutes into the meeting.
"That's all I came to tell y'all tonight. God bless y'all. Can't answer any questions because I have a big meeting coming up on the 17th," said Crawford.
The meeting drew criticism from local shrimpers and community members. Kyle Kimball, president of the Port Arthur Area Shrimpers Association, expressed his disbelief.
"A five minute meeting, but that was it. No questions asked, walked out. I've never seen anything like that in my life," he said.
Kimball and his wife Tricia argue that the proposed offshore wind turbines could severely impact their livelihood by disrupting the local marine ecosystem.
"You start asking questions, they have a habit of leaving real quickly," Kimball said.
Crawford offered a bus tour to onshore wind farms to address what he called "fables" about offshore wind developments.
However, Kimball remained skeptical, stating, "They're going to send us to windfarms that are in good condition that they've maintained, and are all painted and clean. They're not going to take you to the ones that have issues. You're not going to see the true outcome of what these things are and could cause."
Kimball remains committed to voicing his opposition and emphasizes the long-term implications.
"Our futures with our kids, our grandkids, it's going to fall back on them," Kimball said.
Despite the contentious meeting, the debate over offshore wind farms in the Gulf Coast continues.
