A proposed Kansas wind farm opposed by some residents ran out of wind as the company behind the project south of Topeka in Osage County announced it is ending its efforts.
Steelhead Americas, a wind farm developer based in Portland, Oregon published a notice in the Osage County Chronicle saying it “made the difficult decision to terminate the Wind Energy Ground Lease(s)” after the Osage County Commission adopted a policy blocking wind and solar development.
The Kansas Informer reported it means the Auburn Harvest Wind Project in Osage County won’t move ahead. The news website said Steelhead Americas, in its February 2026 public notice said ending the leases was “especially disappointing,” citing expected benefits such as “direct investment to local landowners,” “hundreds of new jobs,” and “increased tax revenue.”
Osage County commissioners took their restrictive actions in 2022 and a report in the Osage County Chronicle said the commissioners “unanimously accepted a recommendation to not allow wind farms or solar energy developments” inside county borders, including the Auburn Harvest proposal.
Nearly 70% of the state’s 105 counties have wind regulations of some kind or another. Nearly one-third have “blocking” regulations with a direction intention of significantly restricting or preventing development, according toa University of Kansas analysis of wind regulations in the state.
A University of Kansas analysis of wind regulations across all 105 counties found that roughly 70% have adopted wind-specific rules. Among those counties, about one-fourth to one-third have adopted “blocking” regulations intended to significantly restrict or prevent development, according to KU researchers.
Public radio station KCUR similarly reported that “new wind installations aren’t allowed in about one-fifth of Kansas counties,” citing local land-use priorities and regulatory decisions.