A Texas energy company has suspended plans for the state's first offshore wind turbine farm.
The Valley Morning Star reported Monday that Baryonyx Corporation on May 7 failed to land a possible $47 million federal grant.
The city manager in South Padre Island, William DiLibero, says he believes the company's decision to halt the wind farm project is based on concerns over threats to migratory birds.
Messages left Tuesday with Austin-based Baryonyx weren't immediately returned.
A spokeswoman with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says Baryonyx on May 14 withdrew its federal permits for the wind farm and did not offer an explanation. Sandra Arnold says the district was informed that Baryonyx, which proposed up to 300 turbines, now plans a project to desalinate seawater and generate electricity.
