The efforts of Rep. Tim Turner to rein in the growth of wind farms in the state through extensive setbacks for wind turbines failed this week in an Oklahoma House committee as wind farm supporters took the wind out of his sails.
It shows wind farms and the electricity they produce have more supporters than some might believe as the Energy Committee voted 5-7 against his HB1989 which originally called for setbacks of 1.5 miles from public use airports and public schools and 2 miles from wildlife refuges. Rep. Turner, of Kinta, filed an amendment to include a one-half mile setback of a wind turbine from any improved structure on land.
“—a tower or similar structure used in connection with a wind turbine shall not be located any closer than two thousand six hundred forty (2,640) feet from the nearest point of any physical structure consisting of improvements to real property,” stated the amendment.
Those who supported the measure were Reps. Steve Bashore, Kyle Hilbert, Mark Lepak, Eric Roberts and Mark Tedford.
But opponents outnumbered supporters and they were Reps. Nick Archer, Ellyn Hefner, Jason Lowe, Ken Luttrell, Stan May, Cyndi Munson and John Waldron.
During debate on the bill, Turner professed turbines are hurting tourism.
“Residents in eastern Oklahoma have become increasingly concerned about their property rights related to the proposed wind projects in that part of the state,” he said, adding, “Green energy is not doing anything except cost taxpayers more and more dollars.”
KFOR TV covered the story as well.
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