Some anti-wind groups are suggesting a betrayal when Ada Sen. Jonathan Wingard’s bill to bring a fast end to wind-farm subsidies in Oklahoma died in a Senate Committee.
SB239 would have brought an abrupt end to the deal struck in 2017 to end tax credits and subsidies to wind farm operators for a ten year period.
“This would end tax credit and subsidies two years early,” said Sen. Wingard in explaining the bill to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. “This is taxpayers’ dollars and this is what they’re asking for—an attempt to recapture some of that money.”
The Senator’s most recent total of funds was $16.3 million in 2023.
Before the committee voted 5-5, which in effect killed the measure, Sen. Julia Kirt, Democrat from Oklahoma City suggested it would amount to “reneging on the original deal.”
“I have concerns about ending this agreement two years early and the message it sends,” said Kirt. “I think reneging on this at the last minute is a bad look for the state.
“We need to keep this obligation,” argued Sen. Brent Howard. “It would amount to a black stain on our reputation.”
Wingard tried to convince others to support his bill, arguing, “We have a responsibility to the citizens of Oklahoma. We do need to be glod stewards of taxpayers’ money.”
When the vote was taken, Sens. Dave Rader, Todd Gollihare and Brent Howard joined Sens. Kirt and Mark Mann in casting votes against the measure.
