The city of Chandler moved this week to adopt a moratoirum on Industrial Wind Turbines within the city limits.
A Facebook report indicated the city council voted in support of new regulations targeting the wind industry. The moratorium includes any land within the city limits and surrounding Chandler’s water supply from Bell Cow Lake.
“Large scale, commercial and industrial wind energy conversion systems (WECS) or any WECS exceeding 80 feet in total height are not allowed within the City Limits of Chandler,” stated the ordinance.
“To ensure the protection of our City’s drinking water supply for our citizens and to ensure protection of wildlife habitat, there will be a moratorium on any WECS on any City owned properties surrounding the Chandler Lake and Bell Cow Lake and any private properties within the city limits of Chandler that abut the City owned property surrounding Chandler Lake and Bell Cow Lake,” the ordinance continued.
Chandler is reported to be the first eastern Oklahoma city to pass any regulations related to the wind industry. It is also the county seat for Lincoln County where the opposition against wind farms turned into a major political issue for its legislators.
“The citizen-led Wind Energy Commttee did an excellent job and focused on allowing residential wind energy use for those citizens who have an interest in powering their personal homes or businesses with wind energy while also protectecting the areas within the city limits from any hazards large-scale, industrial wind turbines could pose. This balance helped the ordinance pass unanimously,” stated Robin Crouch, a member of the city council.