A move to amend Oklahoma’s 3-year old Energy Discrimination Elimination Act, the one suspended last year by an Oklahoma County District judge’s order, goes before a state House committee on Wednesday.
Rep. Nick Archer, Elk City, filed HB2043 which focuses on the contract payments that state agencies have with companies. The bill, if approved, would still prevent agencies from entering into contracts unless the contract contains a written verification from the company that it does not boycott energy companies and will not boycott energy companies during the term of the contract.
A challenge filed by a retired state worker last year led to a judge’s ruling to suspend enforcement of the Act by the State Treasurer. The case remains before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Archer’s bill is one of several to be reviewed by the House energy Committee during a 10:30 a.m. meeting on Wednesday.
Rep. Ken Luttrell’s HB2179 would create the Electric Vehicle Reform Act of 2025. The measure, as introduced, is a shell bill with details to be filled in as it possibly advances through the House.
Rep. Mike Dobrinski’s HB2156 would create setback requirements for solar energy farms or facilities and they would not apply to residential solar energy panels. The solar panels, under the bill, could not be located within 500 feet of an occupied structure or home unless waived in writing by the home owner. Such farms or solar facilities could also not be within 100 feet of any outer boundary of the property and not within 100 feet of a public road right-of-way.
HB1989 by Rep. Tim Turner of Kinta would create another restriction on the location of wind farms. It would prohibit a wind farm being sited within two nautical miles from a wildlife refuge, management area of body of water regarded as a habitat for migrating wataerfowl. The setback requirement would also be part of reports reviewed by the Corporation Commission.
The following is the agenda for the committee meeting.