“A betrayal of Oklahoma’s rural communities.” It’s what Chandler Rep. Jim Shaw has accused Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton of over the death of the so-called wind setback bill, SB2.
He’s angry over the failure of the Senate to take up the bill he supported as part of his anti-wind stance. Shaw said the legislation would have protected rural landowners from industrial wind encroachment.
“Pro Tem Paxton sided with wind lobbyists and corporate interests instead of the Oklahoma families asking for basic protections,” said Shaw in a press release after Paxton’s late Tuesday announcement. “SB2 passed the House with strong support, yet Paxton shut down to appease donors and industry insiders.”
Paxton said in his announcement of the death of the bill, it had changed from its original version to mirror HB2751 which failed in the Senate Energy Committee on April 24. He explained that voting on the legislation in its current form would violate the Senate’s final action rule, which prohibits the chamber from reconsidering the bill language that has already been rejected.
“I made the decision to hit pause on this bill because it violates the Senate’s final action rule, as legislation with this language already failed in the Senate Energy Committee. In its current form, this bill would arguably legislate an industry out of business and likely draw legal challenges,” stated Paxton.
Rep. Shaw took issue with Paxton’s explanation.
“Let’s be clear: that excuse doesn’t fly. The Senate leadership is hiding behind procedural excuses. This same Senate leadership team circumvented this very rule to help millions in taxpayer dollars for a prospective aluminum smelter company. This move wasn’t about rules—it was about power, money, and protecting the wind industry from accountability.”
He further vowed his fight for rural Oklahoma isn’t finished.
“I won’t stop fighting until the many non-participating landowners are protected from 700+foot turbines being planted next to their property.”
SB2 was originally intended to require wind developers to maintain at least a one-quarter mile setback from homes and non-participating properties. The House added key amendments modeled after HB2751.
“I’m calling on all grassroots organizations and individuals to continue this fight against the leftist Green New Deal scam,” added Rep. Shaw.
“There is now a great opportunity going into next session to spend the next 7-8 months calling on all members of the Senate to support these common sense and fair regulations against the industrial wind industry. If they are unwilling to heed the voice of the people, let us all remember we are also heading into election season next year.”
