The state’s wind industry is coming under more restrictions following the State Senate approval of a bill this week.
House Bill 3561 was passed on a 45-0 vote on Wednesday and is intended to keep wind farms from encroaching on the mission areas of military bases.
Senate Pro Tempore Mike Schulz is the author of the bill.
“The wind industry is expanding quickly in our state and we must protect our military bases,” said the Senator from Altus. “Our bases have raised concerns that the construction of wind facilities is negatively impacting flight training routes.”
He said the routes cannot be changed in many cases because of environmental concerns.
“We need to simply ensure that the wind farms are located a safe distance from bases and aren’t impeding the military’s work,” said Schulz whose district includes Altus Air Force Base.
HB 3561 requires a wind energy operation to first check with the FAA and the Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse before it can build or expand a wind farm. Additionally, wind companies would have to notify the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission as well.
“Existing regulations already require companies to file construction notices with the FAA, OCC and the county,” said Schulz. “Federal guidelines have changed to streamline how military bases weigh in on an issue critical to their mission. This bill works in tandem with these federal guidelines.”
The measure was previously passed in the House of Representatives on a vote of 91-1.